Comparison of the curative effect and safety of consolidation chemotherapy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy with concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone for locally advanced cervical cancer

Purpose: This study investigated the curative effect and safety of consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, treated in the Department of Gynaecological Oncology at JiangXi Maternal and Child Health Hospital of China between January 2011 and January 2013, were retrospectively enrolled. Forty-six patients underwent three courses of platinum-based consolidation chemotherapy following concurrent chemoradiotherapy (consolidation group), and 38 patients underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy only (control group). Effectiveness, feasibility, survival rates, and toxicity were evaluated. Results: Follow-up was 15 to 54 months. Treatment strategy (HR=0.322, 95% CI: 0.123-0.843, p = 0.021) and cancer stage (HR=2.333, 95% CI: 1.043-5.218, p = 0.039) were associated with overall survival rate. Severe myelosuppression in the consolidation group was 36.96% and 18.42% in the control group, (p = 0.19), serious adverse events of the rectum were 10.87%, and 13.16%, respectively (p = 0.749). Conclusion: Consolidation chemotherapy increased patient survival but not the incidence of severe adverse events.