title: A single institution experience with weekly intramuscular methotrexate for nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic disease.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to report our experience with weekly intramuscular methotrexate for nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic disease. Treatment was begun at a dose of 40 mg/m2 and escalated weekly by 5-10 mg/m2, depending upon response and tolerance, to a maximum dose of 60 mg/m2. Remission was induced with weekly intramuscular methotrexate alone in 12 (60%) of 20 patients in 2-12 (median 8) weeks. The remaining 7 patients had a complete response to alternate chemotherapy. There were no major toxicities. Although the results of the present study are less favorable in terms of response, the overall published results using weekly intramuscular methotrexate for nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic disease indicate that it is comparable in efficacy to other first-line treatments while having the advantages of convenience, low cost, and low toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, University of South Florida, Tampa 33606, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Fiorica
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Gleeson
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cavanagh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012074:Remission Induction; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D003609:Dactinomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008727:Methotrexate