Adverse affects of paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy in epithelial gynecologic cancer

To evaluate the adverse affects of paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy.

Descriptive cross sectional study

Patients with epithelial cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube and peritoneum treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy at Chiang Mai University Hospital between August 2003 and August 2004.

Of 224 evaluable cycles in 63 patients treated with paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) and carboplatin (AUC 5), grade 3 and 4 neutropenia occurred in 37.1% or 41.3% of patients. 4.8% of patients experienced febrile neutropenia. Grade 3 and 4 leukopenia occurred in 8.6% of courses and 12.6% of patients. Grade 3 anemia occurred in 5.2% of courses and 9.5% of patients. Grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred in 2.8% of courses and 9.6% of patients. The nonhematologic adverse affects were rare, however, some adverse events may be potentially life threatening.

Adverse affects of paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy are acceptable and manageable in the majority of patients.