DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Primary, previously untreated, histologically confirmed invasive squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix stage IIB, IIIB, or IVA Negative para-aortic lymph nodes determined by lymphangiogram, CT, MRI, or lymphadenectomy (excluding suspicious para-aortic lymph nodes) Para-aortic lymphadenectomy must be performed extraperitoneally or by laparoscopy No histologically confirmed cancer involving the para-aortic lymph nodes, intraperitoneal disease, or positive peritoneal cytology No recurrent invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix, regardless of previous treatment or cervix cancers other than squamous cell, adenosquamous, or adenocarcinoma No carcinoma of the cervical stump