London: Scientists have developed a new treatment that can reduce deaths due to cervical cancer by 40 percent, a study has said.
In a study conducted in London, scientists completed a long-term follow-up of patients. These patients were given a short course of chemotherapy before chemoradiation (a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy).
The results of the study showed a 40 percent reduction in the risk of death and a 35 percent reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence over at least five years.
Cancer Research UK described the rate as the biggest improvement in cervical cancer treatment in more than 20 years, with preliminary results published in the journal Lancet.
Chemo-radiation has been the standard treatment for the disease since 1999, but despite improvements, the cancer returns in up to 30 percent of cases.
The Interlace Phase 3 trial looked at whether giving a short course of chemotherapy before chemoradiation could reduce the risk of disease relapse and death in patients.
