[Chemotherapy of malignant tumors in gynecology]

Chemotherapy is routinely applied in a number of malign tumours of female genital organs, primarily in the tumours of the trophoblast and ovarian carcinoma. Its use is often in discord with the present-day konwledge, either in the choice of cytostatics and the optimal time of application or in the combination of different drugs and their dosage. A brief review is given of the basic aspects of cellular biology, of the characteristics of normal and tumour cells, and the principles underlying present-day chemotherapy. Cytostatics having proved particularly effective in the treatment of gynecological tumours are listed separately, along with their daily and total doses and the toxic effects they produce. Also the most frequent schemes for polychemotherapy are presented. Except for the treatment of choriocarcinoma, chemotherapy in gynecology is still the auxiliary method, and for this reason it should be rendered accordant with the classical treatment by radiation and surgery. Chemotherapy is developing very rapidly and what at present is considered peripheral may become of prime importance tomorrow. An all-round plan in the therapy of genital carcinoma can be established only in institutions in which teams of related experts monitor all advances in this field.