Objective  To investigate the treatment failure sites, risk factors, and survival rates of patients with persistent or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix within one year after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

  Methods  Clinical data of 30 patients with persistent or recurrent SCC of the cervix within one year after CCRT between June 2006 and June 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. These data were compared with those of another 35 SCC cases without recurrence after complete remission. These 35 patients were treated homeochronously (from 2006 to 2011) and randomized in the control group.

  Results  Among the 30 patients, 25 exhibited distant metastases; 14 of these 25 patients were observed within six months after CCRT. Univariate analysis showed a higher incidence of pelvic or para-aortic lymphadenectasis and SCC-ag>10 ng/mL in the group with persistent or recurrent disease before treatment (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis by logistic regression revealed that the pre-therapeutic pelvic or para-aortic lymph node enlargement and SCC-ag>10 ng/mL were found as the independent risk factors. Palliative chemotherapy ranked as the first method used to treat patients. The two-year survival rate was 21.7%, and the median survival time was 17 months.

  Conclusion  Patients with persistent or recurrent SCC of the cervix after CCRT possibly exhibited a high rate of distant metastasis with poor prognosis. The pre-therapeutic pelvic or para-aortic lymph node enlargement and SCC-ag>10 ng/mL were found as the independent risk factors of persistent or recurrent SCC within one year after CCRT.