S. Chiara et al., Advanced ovarian cancer in the elderly: results of consecutive trials withcisplatin-based chemotherapy, CR R ONC H, 37(1), 2001, pp. 27-34
From 1982 through 1996, 547 untreated advanced ovarian cancer patients were
entered onto Gruppo Oncologico Nord-Ovest (GONO) consecutive randomized tr
ials including cisplatin-based chemotherapy. End points of analysis include
d the influence of age on prognosis, toxicity, clinical/surgical response r
ates, progression-free survival and survival, Of the entire study group, 11
6 patients were 65 years of age or older at diagnosis. WHO main toxicity (a
ny grade) consisted of: emesis (93% of patients), myelotoxicity (leukopenia
in 52%. anemia in 51% and thrombocytopenia in 17%, of patients). nephrotox
icity in 13% of patients and neurotoxicity in 10% of patients. No significa
nt difference in toxicity was evident between patients greater than or equa
l to or < 65 years. Refusal of CT and early ( <less than or equal to> 2 cou
rses) interruption of CT due to toxicity were more frequent in elderly pati
ents (3.4 vs. 1.4%,. 3.4 vs. 0.7%, respectively). After a median follow-up
of 71 months no difference was observed in survival and progression-free su
rvival between younger and older patients. Cox multiple regression analysis
of the entire study population demonstrated that age > 65 years per se was
not a negative prognostic factor. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. A
ll rights reserved.