Real-World Treatment Patterns and Unmet Needs of Patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer in Mainland China

INTRODUCTION: Given China's high disease burden, Chinese physicians have accumulated substantial real-world experience in managing locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). Accordingly, the study aims were to evaluate treatment patterns and decision-making drivers for Chinese patients with LACC and to identify unmet needs. METHODS: Subgroup data from mainland China (n = 80) were analyzed from a broader Asia-Pacific study conducted across five regions. This prospective cross-sectional study used a two-phase approach (literature review and physician interviews). Outcomes included treatment regimens, patient characteristics, treatment choice drivers, and unmet patient needs. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 20 medical oncologists and 60 gynecologists/gynecologic oncologists. LACC accounted for approximately 37% of cervical disease cases, including precancerous lesions. Treatment patterns varied according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 stage. For stage Ib3-II disease, surgery-based strategies predominated (65%), with the most frequent being surgery plus radiotherapy (21%), surgery plus radiotherapy and systemic therapy (18%), and surgery plus systemic therapy (14%). Although concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is guideline-preferred for stage Ib3/IIa2, radiotherapy with systemic therapy (including CCRT) was reported in only 14% of cases. For stage III-IVa disease, radiotherapy with systemic therapy (including CCRT), was most commonly selected (39%), followed by radiotherapy alone (14%) and surgery plus radiotherapy and systemic therapy (13%). Cisplatin or carboplatin with paclitaxel were the most frequently used radiosensitizers. Treatment decisions were mainly influenced by the disease stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, and drug efficacy/safety. Key unmet patient needs included affordability, poor outcomes with current options, and barriers to radiotherapy access. CONCLUSIONS: Reported LACC treatment patterns in China differed from guideline-recommended approaches, with surgery used more frequently than CCRT. These patterns may reflect physician, patient, financial, and/or radiotherapy access-related factors. Addressing these practical considerations will help to optimize LACC care and improve patient outcomes.