Cisplatin/etoposide chemotherapy for recurrent or primarily advanced cervical carcinoma

Thirty-eight women with primarily advanced (n = 10) or recurrent (n = 25) cervical carcinoma were treated with cisplatin (30 mg/m(2)/day intravenously) and etoposide (60 mg/m(2)/day intravenously) for 3 days followed by oral etoposide, 50 mg daily for 7 days, repeated at 28-day intervals, The response rate was 39% (95% confidence limits 24-55%) with response duration of 5 to 36 months. The main toxicities were neutropenia (21% developing neutropenic fever), alopecia, stomatitis, and nausea and vomiting, Despite this all responders had maintained or improved quality of life as defined by symptoms and performance, status. (C) 1997 Academic Press.