Prospective randomised study comparing concomitant chemoradiotherapy using weekly paclitaxel versus weekly cisplatin in locally advanced carcinoma cervix (FIGO STAGE IB2 – IVA) in a tertiary care hospital

Concomitant chemoradiation(CRT) with weekly Cisplatin is presently the treatment of choice for locally advanced cases of carcinoma cervix. Despite it’s proven benefit in reducing disease recurrence by as much as 50%, our search is on for further improvement of treatment efficacy. This trial was done for comparing the response and toxicity of CRT with weekly Paclitaxel versus weekly Cisplatin in carcinoma cervix with locally advanced staging. Biopsy proven cases of squamous cell Ca stage IB2 to IVA were randomized into two arms (1:1 ratio). Arm A- patients received concomitant weekly cisplatin(40mg/m2)for 5 weeks during external radiation. For arm B-patients received weekly paclitaxel(60mg/m2) for 5 weeks concomitantly. EBRT dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 #was given alongwith followed by brachytherapy. Institutional and ethical clearance was obtained. Paclitaxel, when given concurrently with EBRT in cases of carcinoma cervix with locally advanced staging produces comparable response to that of cisplatin.