Combination chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer

Among the 95 cases of ovarian cancer treated by us between May, 1975 and August, 1978, only 33 were suitable for complete resection. The remaining 62 cases underwent incomplete resection, followed by F.Q.C. combination chemotherapy (1-(2-tetrahydrofuryl)-5-fluorouracil, carbazilquinone, cytosine arabinoside); 54.8% showed an antitumor response. The median survival time of the responders was 13.2 months, whereas it was 7.4 months for the non-responders. The survival rate after 24 months, however, was 13% and 4%, respectively. Side effects of the drugs, including leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea and vomiting, were found in roughly one half of the cases.