Scientists have revealed a major advance in the treatment of cervical cancer, making a significant shift away from traditional radiotherapy.
This new approach, including a more cost-effective drug regimen, is expected to reduce the risk of cancer relapse or death by as much as 35 per cent.
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According to Cancer Research UK, cervical cancer is primarily diagnosed in women in their early thirties, with around 3,200 new cases reported in the UK.
The recent study aims to determine whether administering a brief course of induction chemotherapy (IC) before chemoradiation (CRT), a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, could improve patient outcomes.
After five years of trial, 80 per cent of patients who received IC plus CRT were still alive, 73 per cent of the remaining group showed slightly lower figures, 72 per cent were still alive, and 64 per cent were without a recurrence.
Dr Mary McCormack, the lead investigator of the trial from UCL Cancer Institute and UCLH, said: “Our trial shows that this short course of additional chemotherapy delivered immediately before the standard CRT can reduce the risk of cancer returning or death by 35 per cent. This is the biggest improvement in outcome in this disease in over 20 years.”
Dr McCormack said this was the biggest improvement in the outcome of this disease in over 20 years.
“I’m incredibly proud of all the patients who participated in the trial; their contribution has allowed us to gather the evidence needed to improve the treatment of cervical cancer patients everywhere.
“We couldn’t have done this without the generous support of Cancer Research UK.”
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