The aim of this study was to assess the activity and toxicity of primary carboplatin‐based chemoradiotherapy (CarboRT) and to compare CarboRT with cisplatin‐based chemoradiotherapy (CisRT) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer and poor general condition.

Fifty‐one locally advanced cervical cancer patients with morbidity risks were prospectively enrolled between January 2007 and April 2010. Eligible patients received weekly intravenous CarboRT with carboplatin 100 mg/m², and a comparison was made with a historical patient group that received weekly CisRT with cisplatin 40 mg/m².

Median follow‐up was 36 months (range: 4–66 months) in the CarboRT group and 53 months (range: 4–121 months) in the CisRT group. Compared with the historical CisRT group, the CarboRT group showed no statistically significant differences in recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–2.81) and survival (HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 0.49–6.54). The mean numbers of received cycles of CarboRT and CisRT were 7.5 ± 1.4 and 6.0 ± 1.8, respectively (p < .001). The rates of grade 3–4 toxicity were similar in the two groups.

CarboRT was better tolerated than CisRT without compromising tumor response and survival in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer and poor general condition.