[Multidisciplinary treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma and prognostic analysis]

To investigate individualized and multi-phase management of recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma in order to improve survival of the patients.

From 1998 to 2002, 70 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma were enrolled in the present study. The treatments were divided into: (1) Induction of tumor remission: platinum sensitive patients were treated with paclitaxol + cisplatin (TP) or carboplatin + cyclophosphamide (CP) regimen; platinum resistant patients used Taxol + mitomycin (TM) or etoposide + mitomycin (VM) regimen. Resection of tumors was done in an attempt to reduce the residual tumor with a diameter less than 1 cm. Local radiotherapy was performed for those with residual tumor and who achieved clinical response after chemotherapy or surgery. (2) Consolidation therapy: chemotherapy with lower doses was administrated after disease remission. Interferon was used as immunotherapy during chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Survival analysis was done.

(1) The 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-year survival rates were 67%, 51%, 45%, 38%, 32%. Median survival was 38.57 months. (3) The 1, 2, 3-year progression-free survival rates of the research arm were 41%, 37%, 24%. Median progression-free survival was 12.00 months. (4) Multivariate analysis revealed that platinum-free interval (P < 0.05), Karnofsky performance scale (P < 0.01), residual disease (P < 0.01) and courses of second-line chemotherapy (P < 0.05) were independent prognostic factors. Residual disease (P < 0.05) and courses of second-line chemotherapy (P < 0.01) contributed to progression-free survival.

Individualized and multi-phase treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma is efficacious. Optimal second cytoreduction and second-line chemotherapy are beneficial to improve the survival.