• Progression-free survival [ Time Frame: After completion of study treatment, patients will be followed for five years ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed invasive squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

  • Stage IB2, IIA, IIB, IIIB, or IVA disease
  • Stage IIA tumors must be > 4 cm
  • Primary, untreated disease
• Negative, non-suspicious para-aortic nodes by lymphangiogram, CT scan, MRI, or lymphadenectomy
• Must have been adequately clinically staged
• Suitable for treatment with radical intent using concurrent chemotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy
• No disease involvement of the lower third of the vagina regardless of stage (all stage IIIA, IIIB and IVA with lower one-third involvement)
• No carcinoma of the cervical stump

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

PERFORMANCE STATUS

• GOG 0-3 LIFE EXPECTANCY
• Not specified HEMATOPOIETIC
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 HEPATIC
• Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT ≤ 3 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 3 times ULN RENAL
• Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL CARDIOVASCULAR
• No New York Heart Association class III-IV heart failure
• No history of myocardial infarction
• No unstable angina
• No uncontrolled hypertension OTHER
• No pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No septicemia or severe infection
• No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

SURGERY

• No prior hysterectomy or planned hysterectomy as part of initial cervix cancer therapy
• No prior coronary artery bypass surgery OTHER
• No prior cancer therapy that would preclude study treatment
• No concurrent angina medication