Chemotherapy, early surgical reassessment, and hyperfractionated abdominal radiotherapy in stage III ovarian cancer: results of a gynecologic oncology group study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine outcomes and treatment toxicities in patients with optimal (< or = 1 cm residual) Stage III ovarian carcinoma treated with three courses of cisplatin-cyclophosphamide, surgical reassessment (SRA), and hyperfractionated whole abdominal irradiation (WAI).


METHODS
Forty-two eligible patients entered this prospective Phase II study conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG). Disease characteristics were as follows: age range, 32-76 years (median 58); Stage IIIA (n = 1, 2%), IIIB (n = 2, 5%), IIIC (n = 39, 93%); histology-serous papillary (n = 21, 50%); other (n = 21, 50%); Grade 1 (n = 1, 2%); 2 (n = 14, 33%); 3 (n = 27, 54%); residual disease after initial surgery (present: n = 23, 55%; absent: n = 19, 45%). Five patients progressed while on chemotherapy, could not be effectively cytoreduced, and were not eligible for WAI. Of the remaining 37 patients, 35 received WAI. Surgical reassessment was not performed in five patients.


RESULTS
Of 37 patients with known SRA status after chemotherapy, 21 (57%) were grossly positive, 4 (11%) were microscopically positive, and 12 (32%) were negative. Based on measurements recorded following initial laparotomy and surgical reassessment, progression during chemotherapy was noted in 40%, stage disease in 37%, and objective response in 23%. Toxicity during hyperfractionated WAI was limited and reversible. No patient beginning WAI failed to complete or required a significant treatment break. Following WAI, six patients underwent laparotomies for abdominal symptoms; five had recurrent disease. Five additional patients were managed conservatively for small bowel obstruction (SBO) or malabsorption, of whom three subsequently developed recurrence. Twenty-two patients having pelvic boosts were significantly more likely to require management for gastrointestinal morbidity (p = 0.0021). Considering all eligible patients, median disease-free and overall survivals were 18.5 and 39 months, respectively. Considering patients completing chemotherapy and WAI, median disease-free and overall survivals were 24 and 46 months, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
(a) Disease progression occurred within three cycles of cisplatin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in 40% of patients with optimal (< or = 1 cm residual) Stage III ovarian carcinoma. (b) Following limited chemotherapy, hyper-fractionated WAI was acutely well tolerated. (c) Late radiation-related toxicity was observed in only three patients (8.6%) in the absence of recurrent disease. Late gastrointestinal morbidity was significantly associated with the administration of a pelvic radiotherapy (RT) boost. (d) Short duration chemotherapy followed by SRA and hyperfractionated WAI without a pelvic boost is a promising management option for patients with optimal Stage III ovarian cancer. A Phase III trial will be necessary to determine how this treatment strategy compares with chemotherapy or RT alone in this patient population.
Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA. Marc_randall@iucc.iupui.edu
M E
ME
Randall
R J
RJ
Barrett
N M
NM
Spirtos
E
E
Chalas
H D
HD
Homesley
S L
SL
Lentz
M
M
Hanna
D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018450:Disease Progression; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D024162:Second-Look Surgery; D016019:Survival Analysis; D017211:Treatment Failure
D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin