Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Objective : Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been proposed as an alternative approach to conventional radical surgery with an aim to improve morbidity and survival. General acceptance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy as an alternative to primary surgery for patients who are not ideal surgical candidates remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer which are inadequate for primary optimal surgery. Methods : A retrospective analysis of 18 patients was conducted to compare outcomes from December, 1995 to March, 2003. During the same period, 45 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer received tumor debulking surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. From this group, 18 patients were selected according to age, histologic types and FIGO stage. A comparison of both groups of patients was done. The operation records and pathologic reports were reviewed and CT/MRI images and pathologic slides were reevaluated. Last follow-up of medical records and phone-call were used to find out patient's status. SPSS 10.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL) was used to confirm a statistical significance. Results : The optimal debulking (