Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed carcinoma of the cervix of 1 of the following cellular
subtypes:

- Squamous cell

- Adenocarcinoma

- Adenosquamous cell

- Stages IB-IVA disease

- Stage IVB disease allowed provided the impact on the quality of life is
tremendous (e.g., "frozen pelvis" or massive pelvic disease and fistula
formation, severe pain, or bleeding)

- Measurable and/or evaluable disease on MRI

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- ECOG performance status 0-2

- No physical or physiological capacity that would preclude study treatment

- No cognitively impaired patients who cannot provide informed consent

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- No contraindication to MRI, including any of the following:

- Weight > 136 kg

- Allergy to MR contrast agent

- Pacemakers, cerebral aneurysm clips, shrapnel injury, or implantable electronic
devices

- No significant unrelated systemic illness

- No serious infections

- No significant cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, or other organ dysfunction that would
preclude study treatment

- Must be medically fit to receive anesthesia

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- No prior definitive brachytherapy procedures

- Ring implants or intravaginal cones for the relief of excessive bleeding allowed

- No prior definitive surgical oncologic procedures (e.g., radical hysterectomy)

- Concurrent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormonal therapy allowed