title: Predictors of tumor response in carcinoma of uterine cervix: data from tertiary cancer centre in India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study was a retrospective analysis to identify the predictors of tumor response among cervical cancer patients treated with chemoradiation and completed the intended treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hundred and twenty eight patients who completed the intended therapy as per institute protocol evaluated. Patients were treated with external beam radiotherapy to a dose of 50 Gy in 27 fractions followed by 21 Gy in three sessions by intracavitory radiotherapy to point A. Postoperative patients received 16 Gy in two sessions. Predictors of tumor response after treatment were assessed using cox regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median time to complete tumor response was 12.2 months. Clinical stage emerged as the independent prognostic factor. Patients who completed chemotherapy treatment in fewer than five cycles had a non-significant increased chance of tumor response compared to those completing in five or more cycles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poor tumor response after treatment is largely explained by advanced disease stage at diagnosis. A strategy for early detection and access to screening facilities will improve outcome. Fewer chemotherapy cycles may be beneficial in patients with locally advanced carcinoma cervix.
authors.affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, Ansari Nagar, 110029 New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sushmita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pathy
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer, Screening Group, Early Detection and prevention Section, 150, cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon cedex 08, France.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muwonge
authors.affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, Ansari Nagar, 110029 New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Subhash
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chander
authors.affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Vatsla
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dadhwal
authors.affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, Ansari Nagar, 110029 New Delhi, India, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Deparment of Radiotherapy, Dr. M.H. Marigowda Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Jagadeshan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pandjatcharam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001918:Brachytherapy; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: carcinoma cervix; chemotherapy; predictors; radiotherapy