Liver metastases of gestational trophoblastic tumor

A retrospective study was conducted to determine if a chemotherapy regimen incorporating cis-platinum, etoposide, and actinomycin D (PEA) was associated with an outcome different from that of the standard triple regimen of methotrexate, actinomycin D, and chlorambucil (MAC) in patients with gestational trophoblastic tumor and liver metastases. Subjects were treated at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital Gestational Trophoblastic Center (KFSH-GTC) between January 1980 and December 1990. Of 19 patients with gestational trophoblastic tumor and liver metastases, 6 received MAC chemotherapy, and 8 received PEA. Five patients were terminally ill and received palliative treatment only. Treatment outcome was measured by beta-subunit human chorionic gonadotropin assay (beta-HCG) and by imaging studies which included ultrasound, computerized axial tomography, and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Durable remission was obtained in 5 of 8 (62.5%) PEA-treated patients and none of 6 MAC-treated patients. There was no difference in risk status or World Health Organization (WHO) prognostic score between the two groups. We conclude that PEA is a relatively effective chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of gestational trophoblastic tumor with liver metastases, and it may be worthy of consideration for prospective clinical trials.