Venous thromboembolism in recurrent ovarian cancer-patients: A systematic evaluation of the North-Eastern German Society of Gynaecologic Oncology Ovarian Cancer Study Group (NOGGO).
BACKGROUND
Systemic chemotherapy and surgery for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) constitute a therapeutic challenge. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) seems to have a negative prognostic impact in patients with solid tumors including primary ovarian cancer in many series. Only limited contemporary data exist regarding the impact of VTE on ROC.


METHODS
Two large multicenter prospective controlled phase I/II-III studies on 2nd-line topotecan-based chemotherapy with platinum-sensitive or resistant ROC (N=525) were conducted on both operated and non-operative patients by the North-Eastern German Society of Gynaecologic Oncology Ovarian Cancer Study Group (NOGGO). Analysis was performed to identify incidence, predictors and prognosis of VTE. Survival analysis, univariate and Cox-regression analysis were performed to identify independent predictors of VTE, overall and progression free survival.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven (7%) VTE-episodes during chemotherapy were identified; 70% of them occurred within the first 2 months after initiation of chemotherapy. Ascites, as a sign of peritoneal carcinomatosis and advanced tumor disease, was identified as independent predictor of VTE. Advanced age and high BMI did not appear to affect significantly the VTE-incidence. High performance status, platinum-sensitivity, serous-papillary histology, lack of ascites and surgery appeared to positively affect survival by multivariate analysis. Overall survival and progression free survival were similar between the VTE and no-VTE patients.


CONCLUSIONS
ROC-patients appear to have the highest risk for developing VTE when ascites exists and during the first 2 months following chemotherapy initiation. In contrast to primary ovarian cancer, VTE could not be identified to affect overall survival in relapsed malignant ovarian disease.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Charité, University Hospital, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. christina.fotopoulou@charite.de
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Fotopoulou
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Karavas
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Trappe
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Chekerov
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Lichtenegger
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Sehouli
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D019772:Topotecan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D005047:Etoposide; D019772:Topotecan; D016190:Carboplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine