Recurrence Pattern of Cervical Cancer Based on the Platinum Sensitivity Concept: A Multi-Institutional Study from the FRANCOGYN Group

Abstract
The standard of care for patients with advanced cervical cancer (ACC) includes platinum-based chemotherapy. The concept of platinum sensitivity is a major prognostic factor for patients with ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to validate the applicability of the platinum sensitivity concept to ACC patients, and to estimate its prognostic interest in terms of overall survival (OS) and pattern of recurrence (location, timing). Data of women with histologically proven FIGO 2019 stages IB3–IV ACC, treated between May 2000 and November 2017 with platinum-based regimens, were retrospectively abstracted from 12 institutions from the FRANCOGYN Group. Respective 3-year OSs were 52% (95% CI: 40.8%–66.8%), 21.6% (95% CI: 12.6%–37.2%), and 14.6% (95% CI: 4.2%–50.2%), in case of recurrence p < 0.001). Risk of metastatic or multisite recurrence was significantly higher in case of recurrence 18 months (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, platinum sensitivity status was a strong prognostic factor for OS after recurrence, independent of histological grade, lympho-vascular space involvement, final lymph node status, and treatment. Platinum sensitivity status may help to classify patients in three prognostic subgroups for OS after recurrence, and appears to be a strong prognostic factor correlated to the pattern of recurrence.