Use of tamoxifen in asymptomatic patients with recurrent small-volume ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Tamoxifen, a well-tolerated oral hormonal agent with biological activity in ovarian cancer, is a potentially attractive option in asymptomatic patients with recurrent disease. Unfortunately, the clinical utility of the drug in this specific setting has not been well documented.


METHODS
A retrospective review was conducted of patients with cancers of the ovary, fallopian tube, and primary cancer of the peritoneum at the Cleveland Clinic who experienced recurrence of the malignancy, in the absence of large volume disease (by physical exam and radiographic evaluation) or any cancer-related symptoms, and who received tamoxifen (20 mg [most patients] or 40 mg/day) before re-initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy.


RESULTS
Fifty-six patients (45 after primary chemotherapy; 12 after second-line treatment) satisfied the criteria noted above. The median duration of treatment was 3 months (range 1-30 months), with 42% and 19% of patients remaining on tamoxifen for >/=6 and >/=12 months, respectively. Reasons for discontinuation were equally divided between three causes: (a) continued rise in CA-125 antigen level without symptoms or other objective signs of cancer; (b) evidence of progressive disease by physical exam or radiographic evaluation in the absence of symptoms; and (c) development of cancer-related symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
In the absence of data from a randomized controlled trial which defines optimal management of the asymptomatic ovarian cancer patient with documented recurrent disease, tamoxifen is a rational management option, although it remains unknown if the delay in subsequent administration of chemotherapy in some individuals for periods greater than 6-12 months results from a direct effect of this agent or simply reflects the natural history of disease in a subset of patients in this clinical setting.
Markman
Maurie
M
Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. markman@ccf.org
Webster
Kenneth
K
Zanotti
Kristine
K
Rohl
Jacqueline
J
Belinson
Jerome
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005185:Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen