Stage III ovarian tumors of low malignant potential treated with cisplatin combination therapy (a Gynecologic Oncology Group study)

Abstract

By serendipity we have had the opportunity to evaluate cis-platin-based chemotherapy in ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP). Optimal (less than 1 cm residual disease) FIGO stage III ovarian carcinomas were randomly assigned to treatment with cisplatin plus cyclophosphamide with or without doxorubicin on a prospective Gynecologic Oncology Group Study. On review by the Gynecologic Oncology Group Pathology Committee, 32 of these cases were determined to represent low malignant potential tumors. Mean age of patients with these lesions was 48 years (range, 25-75 years). After initial cytoreduction, 19 patients had residual disease less than 1 cm and 13 had no residual. Twenty (62.5%) received cisplatin plus cyclophosphamide and 12 cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin chemotherapy; 75% of patients received six or more courses. Second-look surgery was done in 15 cases; only six were negative. However, with a median follow-up of 31.7 months (range, 1-75), only 1 patient has died; no cancer was found at autopsy. The remaining patients are alive without clinical evidence of disease at a median of 30 months. The need for adjunctive therapy in patients with advanced LMP tumors remains speculative.