OBJECTIVES:
* Determine the relationship between the level of EF5 binding and pretreatment hemoglobin level, tumor size, and stage of disease in patients with stage IIB, IIIB, or IVA cervical cancer.
* Determine whether pretreatment tumor hypoxia (measured by EF5 binding) is associated with overall survival, progression-free interval, and local control in these patients.
* Determine the relationship between EF5 binding and CD-31 labeling (tumor vasculature) and Ki-67 labeling (cellular proliferation) in these patients.
OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.
Patients receive EF5 IV over 1-2.5 hours on day 1. Tumor hypoxia is measured using immunohistochemical techniques. Biopsies are collected 1-2 days later. Blood is collected before EF5 is administered and again at the time of surgery.
Patients are followed approximately 1 month after surgery.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 150 patients will be accrued for this study within 3 years.
