K.S. Akperov
National Center of Oncology, Baku, The Republic of Azerbaijan
Akperov K.S. ― radiation oncologist, researcher at the department of radiation therapy of National Center of Oncology
79B G. Zardabi Str., Baku, The Republic of Azerbaijan, AZ1012, e-mail: akperovkamal@yahoo.com
Abstract
The aim of this research was study of acute toxicity of chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer by use of polyradiosensitization with cisplatin and gemcitabine.
Material and methods. In this article we analyzed treatment and investigation results of 468 patients with IIA – IVA stage cervical cancer. The age of patients varied between 31 and 76 years, while the majority (54,1%) was 40-60 years old. External beam radiotherapy consisted of 1,8 Gy fractions to 45 Gy to the pelvis. High dose rate brachytherapy was four fractions by 7,0 Gy. In the first group patients received weekly infusions of cisplatin (40 mg/m2) and in the second group – cisplatin (40 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (75 mg/m2).
Results. Acute hematological toxicity like neutropenia and thrombopenia was higher in the second group (among patients receive cisplatin and gemcitabine). But only grade I acute toxicity was higher while there were differences in grade II-IV acute neutropenia and thrombopenia between treatment arms.
Conclusion. Our results showed that combination of conformal external beam radiotherapy, high dose rate brachytherapy and concurrent polychemotherapy consisted of cisplatin and gemcitabine is feasible and safe for clinical use. Acute hematological toxicity was higher in group one but was effectively solved by symptomatic supportive treatment and did not lead to interruptions in radiotherapy.
Key words: cervical cancer, polyradiosensitization, chemoradiotherapy, gemcitabine.