chemotherapy treatments
Last reviewed 10/2020
Chemotherapy may be indicated in:
- advanced disease - with extrapelvic spread
- recurrent disease
- where radiotherapy has been ineffective
Most treatments are based on cytotoxics based on cisplatin.
Chemotherapy is not a first choice treatment because:
- cervical carcinoma is relatively radiosensitive
- large, bulky tumours may have necrotic centres which are never reached
- tissue vascularity is reduced following radiotherapy so drug uptake is sub-optimal
However, objective improvement is reported in 50-65% of cases.
NICE state that (1):
- topotecan in combination with cisplatin is recommended as a treatment option for women with recurrent or stage IVB cervical cancer only if they have not previously received cisplatin
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