Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2006 | Research article
Four cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin as adjuvant treatment in early-stage ovarian cancer: a six-year experience of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group
Authors:
Aristotle Bamias, Christos Papadimitriou, Eleni Efstathiou, Alexandros Rodolakis, Georgios Vlahos, Zannis Voulgaris, Georgios Bozas, Georgios Fountzilas, Gerassimos Aravantinos, Evagelia Razis, Dimitra Gika, Meletios A Dimopoulos
Published in:
BMC Cancer
|
Issue 1/2006
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Abstract
Background
Surgery can cure a significant percentage of ovarian carcinoma confined to the pelvis. Nevertheless, there is still a 10–50% recurrence rate. We administered paclitaxel/carboplatin as adjuvant treatment in early-stage ovarian carcinoma.
Methods
Patients with stages Ia or Ib, Grade 2 or 3 and Ic to IIb (any grade) were included. Patients were treated with 4 cycles of Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and Carboplatin [area under the curve (AUC) 6 (Calvert Formula)] every 3 weeks.
Results
Sixty-nine patients with no residual disease following cytoreductive surgery and minimal or modified surgical staging were included in this analysis. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occured in 29.9% of patients, while neutropenic fever was reported in 4.5%. Neurotoxicity (all Grade 1 or 2) was reported in 50% of cases. Median follow-up was 62 months. 5-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were: 87% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 78–96) and 79% (95% CI: 69–89), respectively. Significantly fewer patients with stages Ic-IIb and tumor grade 2 or 3 achieved a 5-year RFS than patients with only one of these two factors (73% vs 92%, p = 0.03).
Conclusion
Paclitaxel/Carboplatin chemotherapy is a safe and effective adjuvant treatment in early-stage ovarian carcinoma. Patients with stages Ic-IIb and tumor grade 2 or 3 may benefit from more extensive treatment.