Paclitaxel in the treatment of patients with angiosarcoma of the scalp or face.
BACKGROUND
Angiosarcomas are rare tumors. Based on a complete response observed in a patient with angiosarcoma of the scalp treated with paclitaxel in a Phase II trial, the authors treated a cohort of patients with angiosarcoma of the scalp or face with paclitaxel as single agent.


METHODS
The authors identified nine patients with angiosarcoma of the scalp or face treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center with paclitaxel between January 1992 and December 1998. Various paclitaxel schedules were used over 1, 3, and 24 hours.


RESULTS
Of the 9 patients, 8 had major responses (4 partial responses and 4 clinical complete responses) and 1 had a minor response, for a major response rate of 89%. The median duration of response was 5 months (range, 2-13 months). Neutropenia and peripheral neuropathy were the most frequent dose-limiting toxicities. No deaths were attributed to therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Paclitaxel as a single agent has substantial activity against angiosarcoma of the scalp or face, even in patients previously treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Further investigation is warranted to define the optimal treatment dose and schedule.
Fata
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Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
O'Reilly
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Ilson
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Pfister
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Leffel
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Kelsen
D P
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Schwartz
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GK
Casper
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ES
D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012535:Scalp; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel