Women with large lesions of the cervix are sometimes managed with preoperative radiation therapy (4,000 cGy external beam radiation therapy, given in divided doses over five weeks, followed two weeks later by a 72-hour cesium insertion), followed by an abdominal hysterectomy and selective node sampling .
Women who have metastatic disease in the pelvic lymph nodes are often given five weeks of external beam radiation therapy to the pelvis after surgery.
Five-Year Survival Approaching 75 to 80 percent
Stage IIb
There is obvious parametrial involvement, but no extension to the pelvic sidewall.
Standard Treatment External beam radiation therapy may be given in divided doses over five weeks, followed by two 36- to 48-hour cesium insertions two weeks apart.
Five-Year Survival 65 to 70 percent
Investigational
• Radiation therapy given at the same time as chemotherapy (cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil + mitomycin-C or bleomycin + mitomycin-C).
