OBJECTIVE

To investigate the temporal patterns of anorexia, diarrhea, weight loss, and leukopenia in chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for cervical cancer compared with radiation therapy (RT) alone.

METHODS

Acute toxicities in 43 patients receiving RT alone and 40 patients receiving CRT were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were treated with a combination of external beam irradiation and high-dose rate intracavitary irradiation. Cisplatin was given once a week for 5 weeks concurrently with the external beam irradiation. CRT was divided into low-dose CRT group (cisplatin, 20-30 mg/m(2), n = 16) and high-dose CRT group (cisplatin, 35-40 mg/m(2), n = 24). Toxicities were evaluated before, every week up to 7 weeks during the cycle, and 12 weeks after initial irradiation, according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.

RESULTS

In the high-dose CRT group, anorexia during the first 5 weeks, leukopenia after 5 weeks, and weight loss after 3 weeks were significantly higher than those in the RT alone group. In the low-dose CRT group, anorexia between 1 and 2 weeks, leukopenia after 5 weeks, and weight loss between 3 and 4 weeks were significantly higher than those in the RT alone group. Diarrhea between 1 and 2 weeks in the high-dose CRT group (P = 0.037, P = 0.025) and between 2 and 3 weeks in the low-dose CRT group (P = 0.015, P = 0.036) was significantly lower compared with RT alone.

CONCLUSIONS

These data can help us understand when patients are likely to develop maximal toxicities and to manage them with optimal timing.