Combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and carboplatin for elderly patients with endometrial cancer

Approximately half of all endometrial cancer cases are diagnosed in patients aged >65 years. The objective of this study was to compare the tolerability and effectiveness of combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and carboplatin between endometrial cancer patients older and younger than 65 years of age. Chemotherapy-naive patients with endometrial cancer were enrolled in this retrospective study between April, 2008 and March, 2015. The patients received docetaxel (60 mg/m²) and carboplatin (area under the curve of 6 mg/ml/min) on day 1 of a 3-week cycle. The tolerability and effectiveness of this regimen were analyzed. A total of 41 patients with endometrial cancer were enrolled in this study, of whom 26 (63%) were aged <65 years and 15 (37%) were aged ≥65 years. There were no significant differences with regard to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score and disease stage between the two groups. Patients aged >65 years were significantly more likely to have serous or clear-cell histology and high-grade tumors compared with the younger group (P=0.014 and 0.012, respectively). Although the number of chemotherapy cycles, cycle delays and treatment interruptions were comparable between older and younger patients, there was a trend toward more dose reductions in the older group (P=0.12). The incidence of hematological toxicities did not differ significantly between the two groups. The incidence of grade 3/4 diarrhea was significantly higher in the older group (P=0.014) and hypersensitivity was significantly more frequent in the younger group (P=0.035). Patients aged ≥65 years had equivalent response rates, progression-free survival and overall survival compared with those aged <65 years. These results suggest that combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and carboplatin was tolerable and effective for the treatment of elderly chemotherapy-naive patients with endometrial cancer.