Modern chemotherapy management of recurrent ovarian cancer: a multicentre study.
OBJECTIVE
The natural history of ovarian cancer has changed over the last 10 years due to more effective drug treatments. The aim of this multicentre audit of the management of recurrent ovarian cancer was to examine the usage of newer drugs in light of the publication of National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidance.


METHODS
All patients presenting with a first or subsequent relapse of ovarian cancer between August 2001 and February 2003 in nine UK National Health Service centres were identified. Data were recorded retrospectively and prospectively from point of entry into the study and included the modality of primary cancer treatment, the treatment of each subsequent relapse and outcome.


RESULTS
In total, 245 evaluable patients were entered on to the database. The mean age was 62 years. All patients received a platinum-based chemotherapy regimen as first-line treatment. One hundred and fifty-five patients (63%) went on to receive third-line chemotherapy and 82 (34%) received fourth-line chemotherapy. The median survival from first relapse was estimated to be in excess of 12 months from our data. The efficacies of the chemotherapy agents used are comparable with the results of published phase III trials.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that multicentre audit is feasible and provides useful information on current clinical practice on which to base future research.
Chan
S
S
Department of Clinical Oncology, The City Hospital, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK.
Griffin
M
M
Stewart
J
J
Gregory
K
K
Hughes
A
A
Awwad
S
S
Allerton
R
R
Pledge
S
S
Thomas
H
H
Percival
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds