Evaluation of the possible benefits of post-radiotherapy surgery after concomitant chemoradiotherapy with a new radio-sensitizing regimen (irinotecan / CPT-11, interferon A2b and amifostine) for advanced-stage cervical carcinoma. Preliminary results of a pilot phase-II study.
JOURNAL OF B.U.ON. : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BALKAN UNION OF ONCOLOGY 2009;
14:197-202. [PMID:
19650166]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
This phase II pilot study was conducted to evaluate the results of a three-modality approach (which included post-chemoradiotherapy surgery) in advanced-stage cervical carcinomas.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Thirty-six patients underwent either surgery or were put on follow-up after having received radical cervical radiotherapy (RT) combined with radiosensitizing chemoimmunotherapy with irinotecan (CPT-11), interferon (IFN) A2b, and amifostine. The last selection (surgery or follow-up) was based on clinical evaluation (downstaged or not). Feasibility, morbidity, surgical outcome and survival were evaluated.
RESULTS
Twenty-six patients had stage IIb and 10 IIIb disease at diagnosis. Sixteen (44%) were clinically downstaged, thus becoming eligible for surgery. Twelve (33%) were operated and the others were put on follow-up. There was no significant increase in treatment-related morbidity of the group of patients receiving three-modality therapy, since only one intraoperative complication had occurred. In 58% of the operated patients, chemoradiotherapy-resistant tumor was found on pathology of the cervical specimens, while 29% of them had lymph nodes infiltrated by the tumor. After a median follow-up of 42.5 months, overall survival (OS) of operated vs. non-operated patients (88 vs. 56%, respectively) show only a trend toward significance (p=0.10). The overall recurrence/metastasis rate was 36.1% and the disease-free survival (DFS) 56% for operated vs. 76% for non-operated patients, respectively (p=0.63).
CONCLUSION
These results indicate that post-chemoradiotherapy surgery is justified because of the high rate of residual disease found. Morbidity can be effectively limited with proper patient selection. A considerable survival benefit is expected, although this remains to be confirmed with phase III studies.
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