Inclusion Criteria

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