Propriety and Efficacy of Postoperative Adjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for High Risk Group Early Stage Cervical Ccancer Patients Following Radical Hysterectomy and Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and to investigate the recurrence and survival rates after adjuvant CCRT in high risk early cervical cancer (stage IA2, IB, IIA) patients who were treated by radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Methods: From July 1994 to June 2003, we reviewed the chart of 146 patients who underwent radical abdominal hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy at Ajou University Hospital for early cervical cancer (stage IA2, IB, IIA). CCRT was performed in 30 patients with high risk factors such as positive pelvic lymph node, positive parametrial involvement, or positive surgical margins. Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin (70 mg/m on day 1) and 5-FU (1000 mg/m on day 2-5) for 4 cycles every 4 weeks beginning 2-3 weeks after operation. Pelvic radiotherapy were started with 2nd and 3rd cycle of chemotherapy concurrently. We compared the recurrence rate and survival rate with 114 patients who received no adjuvant therapy after operation. The mean follow up period was 49 months (24-94 months). Results: Disease recurred in 9 of 144 patients treated with surgery (6.3%). There were recurrences in 3 patients after CCRT (10.0%), and in 6 patients in the control group (5.3%) respectively. The actuarial 5-year overall survival rates for patients with adjuvant CCRT, and with no adjuvant treatment were 100%vs. 96.8% (p>0.05). The recurrence and progression-free survival rates were 9.5% vs 6.3%, 90.5% vs. 93.7% (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study shows good local control and 5 years overall and progression free survival rates in the high-risk cervical cancer patients after CCRT which is similar results seen in control group. Our results indicate that adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy seems to be effective in stage IA2-IIA cervical cancer patients with high risk.