Carcinosarcoma of the ovary treated with platinum and taxane: the memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experience.
BACKGROUND
Due to the rarity of ovarian carcinosarcomas, the optimal chemotherapeutic regimen to treat this aggressive disease is yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to determine the response rate, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival of patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma who were treated with the combination of platinum and a taxane as first-line chemotherapy.


METHODS
We identified all patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma who received a combination of platinum and taxane either after initial tumor resection or as neoadjuvant therapy. Data extracted from the medical records included residual tumor after surgery, number, type and dose of chemotherapy cycles, tumor response, and survival outcome.


RESULTS
Between 1991 and 2005, 30 patients were identified for analysis. Twenty-four patients had stage III disease, 5 had stage IV disease, and 1 had stage II disease. All patients underwent surgical resection and 17 (57%) were cytoreduced to less than 1 cm. Twenty-eight patients received chemotherapy after surgery, and 2 patients received chemotherapy before surgery. Twenty-four patients (80%) received carboplatin and paclitaxel, 3 (10%) received carboplatin and docetaxel, and 3 (10%) received cisplatin and paclitaxel. Twelve (40%) had a complete response, 7 (23%) a partial response, 2 (7%) stable disease, and 9 (30%) progression of disease. The median time to progression for responders was 12 months. With a median follow-up of 23 months, the median overall survival was 43 months for survivors. The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 53% and 30%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of platinum and a taxane is a viable first-line treatment option for patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma.
Leiser
Aliza L
AL
Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
Chi
Dennis S
DS
Ishill
Nicole M
NM
Tew
William P
WP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002296:Carcinosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D043823:Taxoids