A 52-year-old woman presents with biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Examination reveals a bulky cervical tumor extending to both parametria, reaching the pelvic wall bilaterally. Intravenous pyelogram shows right hydronephrosis. What is the recommended treatment?
- A Concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy ✓
- B Radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy
- C External beam radiotherapy alone followed by brachytherapy
- D Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery
Correct answer: A. Concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy
Explanation
This is stage IIIB cervical cancer (tumor extends to pelvic wall with hydronephrosis). Surgery is not indicated. Concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy is the standard of care, established by five randomized trials showing improved overall survival compared to radiotherapy alone. The GOG 120 and RTOG 9001 trials established cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiation as the standard treatment.
Reference: NCCN Guidelines Cervical Cancer, 2024 ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.