Chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer: four systematic meta-analyses of individual patient data from 37 randomized trials. Advanced Ovarian Cancer Trialists' Group.

The purpose of this systematic study was to provide an up to date and reliable quantitative summary of the relative benefits of various types of chemotherapy (non-platinum vs platinum, single-agent vs combination and carboplatin vs cisplatin) in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. Also, to investigate whether well-defined patient subgroups benefit more or less from cisplatin- or carboplatin-based therapy. Meta-analyses were based on updated individual patient data from all available randomized controlled trials (published and unpublished), including 37 trials, 5667 patients and 4664 deaths. The results suggest that platinum-based chemotherapy is better than non-platinum therapy, show a trend in favour of platinum combinations over single-agent platinum, and suggest that cisplatin and carboplatin are equally effective. There is no good evidence that cisplatin is more or less effective than carboplatin in any particular subgroup of patients.

[Uterine sarcoma--diagnostic and therapeutic problems]. / Sarkom uterusa--dijagnosticki i terapijski problem.

A retrospective analysis dealt with 28 cases of uterine sarcoma treated in a ten-year period (1975-1984). The most common histological type was leiomyosarcoma. Thirteen patients underwent surgery alone, a combination of surgery and irradiation was performed in 9 patients, surgery + irradiation + chemotherapy in 2 patients, and surgery + chemotherapy in 2 patients. Sixteen patients are alive and well during a follow-up of 5 years.

Activity of epirubicin in combination chemotherapy of advanced ovarian cancer. Results of the South-East European Oncology Group (SEEOG) Study.

The therapeutic efficacy of the combination of cyclophosphamide + epirubicin + cisplatin was evaluated in 107 previously treated or untreated patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The overall response rate was 58.8%, complete remission 36.4% (mean duration-7.62 months) and partial remission 22.4% (mean duration-6.74 months). The response was rated in function of age, menopausal status, performance status and previous therapy. Toxicity (in case of 109 patients) was evaluated according to the WHO recommendation. The similar therapeutic effectiveness and less toxicity of the above drug combination compared to CAP regimen is demonstrated.

[3 simultaneous primary malignant tumors in the female genitalia]. / Istovremeni trostruki primarni maligni tumor zenskih genitala.

The authors describe the rare case of a triple primary malignant tumor in 59 old women. It consisted of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri, leiomyosarcoma of myometrium and granulocellular carcinoma of the ovary. The patient was treated by surgery and irradiation. No signs of recurrence have appeared in the four post-operative years.