Clinical significance of cell-free and concentrated ascites re-infusion therapy for advanced and recurrent gynecological cancer.
BACKGROUND
The management of malignant ascites is critical for the treatment of patients with advanced gynecological cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical significance of cell-free and concentrated ascites re-infusion therapy (CART).


METHODS
Adverse events, alterations in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, serum albumin, body weight and abdominal circumference, and overall survival were examined in 22 patients with advanced gynecological cancer which were treated with CART.


RESULTS
Most of the adverse events were grade 1 or 2 fever. CART treatment had little effect on ECOG performance status and on levels of serum albumin. There was a significant decrease in body weight and in abdominal circumference post-treatment with CART, relative to pre-treatment (p<0.01). The overall survival rate was significantly prolonged in 14 patients after CART plus chemotherapy, as compared with eight patients after CART alone (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
CART may contribute to the improvement of quality of life and of survival in patients with advanced gynecological cancer.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Taeko
T
Ueda
Miyako
M
Maehara
Yoko
Y
Takahashi
Naomi
N
Nakayama
Haruhiko
H
Kondo
Kyoko
K
Shirota
Toshiyuki
T
Yoshizato
Shingo
S
Miyamoto
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001201:Ascites / Q000601:surgery*; D002474:Cell-Free System; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D012709:Serum Albumin
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D012709:Serum Albumin