It cuts the risk of death by 40%.
A recent study has brought new hope for women with locally advanced cervical cancer, revealing that incorporating six weeks of chemotherapy into the standard treatment plan can reduce the risk of death by 40%. This research, led by Dr. Mary McCormack from University College London’s Cancer Institute and funded by Cancer Research UK, is considered a major breakthrough in the field. Dr. McCormack acknowledged the crucial role of patients in the trial, stating that their participation helped gather vital evidence to enhance treatment options for people facing this disease worldwide.
Published in The Lancet, the study involved 500 women from countries such as Brazil, India, Italy, Mexico, and the UK. Participants were split into two groups: one received standard treatment, which consisted of chemoradiotherapy using radiation and the drug cisplatin, while the other group was treated with an additional six weeks of chemotherapy using carboplatin and paclitaxel before beginning the chemoradiotherapy. The findings showed that those who received the extra chemotherapy had a significantly better survival rate and a reduced risk of cancer recurrence or metastasis compared to those who only received the standard treatment.
According to the results, 80% of the women who underwent the added chemotherapy survived for at least five years, with 72% remaining free from cancer recurrence or spread. In contrast, 72% of those in the control group survived five years, with 64% showing no further signs of cancer. Researchers believe the additional chemotherapy, administered early in the treatment, contributed greatly to these enhanced outcomes and suggested that this approach could also benefit the treatment of other cancers.
However, the additional chemotherapy did lead to side effects, such as fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, infections, and lower white blood cell counts. Severe side effects were noted in 59% of patients who received the added chemotherapy, though those in the control group also experienced adverse effects, albeit at a slightly lower rate. Nevertheless, the significant improvement in survival rates highlights the potential of this approach in treating cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer, commonly caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), was once a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Advances such as the HPV vaccine and improved screening methods, including a new FDA-approved at-home HPV test, have greatly reduced the incidence of the disease. Combined with the promising new chemotherapy method, experts see a hopeful future for both the treatment and prevention of cervical cancer.
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