GnRH analogues as an adjuvant therapy for ovarian cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
Lowering gonadotropin levels with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues in patients with ovarian cancer remains open to debate. The aim of this study was to assess the results of treatment in stage III and stage IV ovarian cancer patients who had surgery supplemented with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and GnRH analogues. Gonadotropin levels were monitored during treatment.


METHODS
The study group comprised 69 patients aged 27-70 years, stratified according to the type of treatment. The overall disease-free, 5-year survival rates and the frequency of remissions were analyzed. Hormonal tests [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)] were performed in 58 patients. Associations were checked between gonadotropin levels, clinical findings, and survival. The results were statistically compared.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were noted when chemotherapy was supplemented with GnRH analogues and/or radiotherapy. Administration of GnRH analogues resulted in significantly lower levels of LH than of FSH. Levels of FSH were significantly lower in patients surviving at least 5 years or in complete remission at the time of this study.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined therapy can produce favorable results in late-stage ovarian cancer, and GnRH analogues have an important role in treatment strategy.
Rzepka-Górska
I
I
Department of Gynecological Surgery and Oncology of Adults and Adolescents, Pomeranian Academy of Medicine, Szczecin, Poland.
Chudecka-Glaz
A
A
Kosmider
M
M
Malecha
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D017273:Goserelin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016019:Survival Analysis
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D017273:Goserelin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone