DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IIB-IVA carcinoma of the cervix

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Mixed cell histology
  • No small cell anaplastic histology

• No para-aortic lymph node involvement

  • No indication for para-aortic radiotherapy
• No distant metastases
• No CNS disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• WHO 0-2

Life expectancy:

• More than 3 months

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 3,000/mm^3
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
• Hemoglobin at least 7.0 mmol/L (approximately 11 g/dL)
• Epoetin alfa and/or transfusion allowed

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Glomerular filtration rate at least 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No unstable angina
• No congestive heart failure with expected inability to tolerate fluid load
• No cerebrovascular accident within the past 6 months

Other:

• No pacemaker and/or metal implants
• No active uncontrolled infection
• No compromised immune status
• No psychosis
• No other prior malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• No mental or other physical inability that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

• No prior surgery