Disease-adapted relapse therapy for ovarian cancer: Results of a prospective study

W. Kuhn, B. Schmalfeldt, L. Pache, K. Späthe, K. Ulm, K. Renziehausen, H. Nöschel, E. Canzler, B. Richter, M. Kröner, G. Tilch, F. Jänicke, H. Graeff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Primary therapy of advanced ovarian cancer is standardized, the therapy in relapsed ovarian cancer however is still controversial. In a prospective study the benefit of secondary surgery and/or second-line chemotherapy were evaluated. 139 patients with relapsed ovarian cancer were stratified according to a treatment plan: patients with early relapse (recurrence-free interval ≤12 months) or primary progression during chemotherapy (n=43) were treated chemotherapeutically with etoposide (p.o. vs. i.v.). Patients with late relapse (recurrence-free interval >12 months, n=96) were referred, if possible, to a secondary debulking operation, followed by a platinum-based chemotherapy. Remission-rate, toxicity and survival time were analyzed. Median survival time in the 'early relapse' group was 15 months compared to 30 months in patients with late relapse (p=0.0004). Within the 'late relapse' group patients with secondary debulking and chemotherapy (n=59) had a statistically significant survival advantage compared to patients who had only chemotherapy (n=37) (38 vs. 12 months, p<0.0001). The unfavorable group of patients with early relapse should be treated chemotherapeutically, whereas in patients with late relapse a secondary debulking seems to improve prognosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)57-63
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Oncology
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1998

Keywords

  • Chemotherapy
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Relapse
  • Secondary surgery

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