OBJECTIVES: I. Compare disease free survival, overall survival, and local control in patients with bulky stage IB carcinoma of the cervix treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy with or without neoadjuvant vincristine and cisplatin. II. Compare adverse effects of radical hysterectomy and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy with or without neoadjuvant vincristine and cisplatin in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. Arm I: Surgery. All patients undergo intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal exploratory laparotomy. Patients without metastases also undergo radical hysterectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Beginning 2-4 weeks after surgery, patients with 1 or more positive lymph nodes or positive surgical margins on the radical hysterectomy specimen receive adjunctive radiotherapy 5 days each week for 4-6 weeks. Patients with histologically confirmed metastases do not undergo radical hysterectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, but receive radiotherapy 5 days each week for 6-8 weeks beginning 2-4 weeks after the laparotomy. Patients who undergo radiotherapy also receive cisplatin IV over 1 hour on days when radiotherapy is administered for up to 6 doses of cisplatin. Arm II: Patients receive vincristine IV bolus immediately followed by cisplatin IV over 1 hour on days 1, 11, and 21. Courses repeat every 21 days for up to 3 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Beginning approximately 4 weeks after the last doses of neoadjuvant vincristine and cisplatin, patients receive surgery, radiotherapy, and cisplatin as in Arm I. Patients are followed every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 3 years, and then annually thereafter.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 170-340 patients will be accrued for this study over approximately 4.5 years.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Previously untreated, histologically proven invasive carcinoma of the cervix Eligible histologies: Squamous Adenocarcinoma Adenosquamous Eligible stages: Bulky stage IB, i.e.: Exophytic lesions 4 cm or greater in diameter OR Cervix expanded to 4 cm or greater and presumed clinically to result from cancer No extension beyond cervix clinically and by IVP or CT with contrast

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: GOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal AST no greater than 3 times normal Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Other: No septicemia or severe infection No other concurrent malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer and prior malignancy therapy does not contraindicate current protocol therapy Suitability for radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy required

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: No prior therapy for cervical cancer No prior pelvic irradiation