The differential response to chemotherapy of ovarian metastases from colorectal carcinoma.
METHODS
All patients with metastatic (ovarian and extraovarian) CRC who underwent resection of ovarian metastases in our institution from April 1988 to August 2006 were analyzed and the response to preoperative chemotherapy was evaluated according to the RECIST criteria, and analyzed with respect to the sites of metastases (ovarian and extraovarian).


RESULTS
The studied population consisted of 23 women. At presentation, 20 patients had symptoms. Preoperative chemotherapy resulted in tumor control of measurable extraovarian metastases in 65% of cases. In contrast, no objective tumor response of ovarian metastases was observed, disease stabilization was obtained in only 3 patients (13%), and progression or occurrence of new ovarian metastases were observed in 20 patients (87%) (p=0.0005). With a median follow-up of 54 months [15-229], median overall survival was 30 months, and 3-year overall survival was 18%.


CONCLUSIONS
Ovarian metastases are less responsive to chemotherapy compared to other sites. As these "metastatic sanctuaries" often cause symptoms, surgical resection should always be considered for ovarian metastases, even in the case of associated extraovarian metastases.
Goéré
D
D
Department of Surgical Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy, 39, Rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif, Cedex, France. goere@igr.fr
Daveau
C
C
Elias
D
D
Boige
V
V
Tomasic
G
G
Bonnet
S
S
Pocard
M
M
Dromain
C
C
Ducreux
M
M
Lasser
P
P
Malka
D
D
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents