title: Palliative benefit of external-beam radiation in the management of platinum refractory epithelial ovarian carcinoma.
abstract: In vitro studies and clinical experience have suggested that patients with platinum-refractory epithelial ovarian carcinoma exhibit cross-resistance to radiation. Salvage with radiation in these patients is rare. However, radiation is often utilized to palliate symptoms caused by these chemotherapy-resistant tumors. Forty-seven patients with platinum-refractory epithelial ovarian carcinoma were referred for palliative radiation and 33 (70%) were evaluable for response. One to four regimens of platinum-based chemotherapy (median 2.7) were given to each patient prior to radiation therapy. Of the 33 evaluable patients, 23 (69.7%) had a complete resolution of symptoms after radiation, 8 (24%) had a partial resolution, and 2 were unassessable because of unrelated medical complications. The median duration of response was 11 months (range 1-86) and closely approximated their survival. Thirteen of 33 patients (39%) obtained relief of symptoms for greater than 12 months, with 10 of 33 (30%) having symptoms controlled for 6 to 12 months. In only 10 patients (30%) was the duration of palliation less than or equal to 6 months. Four patients required reirradiation to the same area for recurrence of their symptom. External-beam radiation therapy can provide effective and durable palliation of symptoms in platinum-refractory epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gelblum
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mychalczak
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Almadrones
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spriggs
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barakat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin