What Researchers Did
This review summarized clinical trials investigating how different agents affect the outcome of radiation therapy for patients with cervical cancer.
What They Found
Many prospective, randomized studies evaluating chemical agents combined with radiation therapy for cervical cancer showed no improvement over radiation therapy alone. However, a February 1999 NCI clinical announcement described a survival advantage for cisplatin-based therapy combined with concurrent irradiation.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with cervical cancer, this review indicates that while many agents combined with radiation did not improve outcomes, concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy with radiation showed a survival benefit. This information can help inform treatment decisions regarding combined therapies for cervical cancer.
Canadian Relevance
This review covers carcinoma of the uterine cervix, which is a Health Canada-recognized indication. The study also mentions hyperbaric oxygen as one of the agents evaluated, which is relevant to Canada Hyperbarics' research focus.
Study Limitations
As a review published in 1999, the findings may not reflect the most current treatment protocols and research advancements in cervical cancer therapy.