Evaluation of In Vitro Assays as Predictors of Clinical Outcome in Patients With Locally Advanced (Stage IIB-IVA)Cervical Carcinoma, Biologic

Previously untreated carcinoma of the uterine cervix clinical Stage IIB, IIIA, IIIB or IVA. Must schedule chemo-radiation per protocol guidelines. No plans for surgical treatment. May have examination under anesthesia. Diagnostic biopsy one working day after registration. Patients with positive para-aortic lymph nodes not eligible for this study unless the nodes are removed and determined to be histologically negative. Patients with histologically positive para-aortic lymph nodes or intraperitoneal washings are not eligible for this study. No evidence of metastasis to other sites outside the pelvis. No prior systemic chemotherapy or prior pelvic radiation for current cancer. No prior surgical procedures for cervical cancer except for imaging guided biopsies of suspicious lymph nodes and/or other non-open biopsies. No sepsis or other infection. Patients who are known to be infected with HIV are not eligible. Patients must have specimens available for pathology review.