A 42-year-old woman with Stage IIB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (MRI: right parametrial involvement, no lymph node enlargement on PET-CT) is planned for concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT). The standard chemosensitising agent used with external beam radiotherapy in cervical cancer is:
- A Cisplatin 40 mg/m² weekly ✓
- B Carboplatin AUC 5 every 3 weeks
- C Paclitaxel 175 mg/m² every 3 weeks
- D Bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks
Correct answer: A. Cisplatin 40 mg/m² weekly
Explanation
The standard radiosensitising regimen for locally advanced cervical cancer (Stage IB3–IVA) is weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m² concurrent with external beam pelvic radiotherapy, followed by brachytherapy boost to the cervix. This is based on pivotal RCTs (Morris et al., Keys et al., NEJM 1999) showing a 30–50% improvement in overall survival with CCRT versus radiotherapy alone. Carboplatin is used as an alternative only in patients with cisplatin-contraindicated comorbidities (renal impairment). Bevacizumab (GOG 240) is for recurrent/metastatic disease, not primary CCRT.
Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.