Abstract
Introduction: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women worldwide (1). The study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility, toxicity and response of weekly gemcitabine against the widely accepted weekly cisplatin with concurrent conventional radiotherapy in management of locally advanced cervical cancer.
Methodology: A prospective randomized control study was done with 25 patients of carcinoma cervix in each arm of Gemcitabine (Group A) and Cisplatin (Group B) based concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Pre-treatment and Post-treatment assessment was done to assess the efficacy and toxicity profile of the patients.
Results: External beam radiation as per protocol was completed by 60% in Group A and 68% in Group B. 52% patients in group A and 60% in group B completed the treatment in less than 55 days. Acute toxicities were responsible for 20% of the delay in-group A and 16% of group B. Late toxicities were mild to moderate. Overall complete response was seen in 83.3% of patients in-group A and 80% patients in-group B. Locoregional control was seen in 79.2% of the patients of group A and 76% of patients of group B. Locoregional failure was seen in 12.5% patients of group A and 12% patients of group B. 4.17% patients in group A and 8% patients in group B had distant metastases.
Conclusion: Gemcitabine can be a better alternative to Cisplatin considering its easy administration, similar disease control and toxicity profile.
Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, Chemoradiotherapy,
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Corresponding Author
Santosh Kumar Singh
Lt Col. (Classified Specialist Internal Medicine),
Dept of Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine, MH Namkum, India
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