Evaluation of bolus cis-platinum and continuous 5-fluorouracil infusion for metastatic and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

The combination of cis-platinum and 5-fluorouracil has been reported to act synergistically with improved response rates in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. The activity of bolus cis-platinum and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil in 24 patients with recurrent and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix was evaluated. Twelve patients were stage I, 3 were stage II, 5 were stage III, and 4 were stage IV cervical carcinomas. Among the 24 patients, there were 4 complete and 8 partial responses (50%). The overall median response was 24 weeks. The overall cumulative survival was 55% at 40 weeks and 40% at 1 year after beginning this regimen. Complications included 4 patients who developed leukopenia, 3 thrombocytopenia, 11 stomatitis, 14 nephrotoxicity, 4 peripheral neuropathy, and 6 ototoxicity. The combination of cis-platinum and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil appears to have useful activity in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.