Complete response of carcinosarcoma of the ovary to therapy with doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine

Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in combination with surgery for ovarian carcinosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Ovarian carcinosarcoma, also known as malignant mixed Mullerian tumour, is a rare malignant gynaecological tumour constituting about 1% or less of all ovarian cancers. In over 80% of cases, there is extra-ovarian intra-abdominal spread at diagnosis. The primary treatment has traditionally been surgical cytoreduction followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone. Regimes have included cisplatin alone; a combination of doxorubicin, ifosfamide, dacarbazine, cyclophosphamide, taxol; and various other combinations. The effectiveness of these various regimens appears to be mixed. Therefore, there is a need to clarify if there is an optimum neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy after surgical cytoreduction for this rare tumour. Also, it is important to address quality of life (QoL) issues related to treatment, particularly toxicity, as the overall prognosis appears to be poor.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of various adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy options or chemotherapy alone in combination with surgery in the management of ovarian carcinosarcoma.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Group Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE up to February 2012. We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings, reference lists of review articles and contacted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or chemotherapy alone, in women with ovarian carcinosarcoma (malignant mixed Mullerian sarcoma of the ovary). We also reviewed non-randomised studies (NRS) for discussion in the absence of RCTs.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed whether potentially relevant studies met the inclusion criteria. No trials were found and therefore no data were analysed.

MAIN RESULTS

The search strategy identified 297 unique references of which all were excluded.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence to inform decisions about neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens, or chemotherapy alone, for women with ovarian carcinosarcoma. Ideally, an RCT that is multicentre or multinational, or well designed non-randomised studies that use multivariate analysis to adjust for baseline imbalances, are needed to compare treatment modalities and improve current knowledge. Further research in genetic and molecular signalling pathways might improve understanding of this tumour subtype.

Optimal debulking surgery followed by paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy is very effective in treating ovarian carcinosarcomas: a single center experience

BACKGROUND

There have been only a few reports on the survival and management of patients with ovarian carcinosarcomas. We evaluated the clinical characteristics, outcomes and prognostic factors of ovarian carcinosarcomas.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of data obtained from medical records of 40 patients treated at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, between January 1989 and January 2008.

RESULTS

Median survival was significantly longer in patients <60 years of age than in those ≥60 (p = 0.001), patients with early-stage compared to advanced tumors (p = 0.035), those with optimally debulked tumors compared to suboptimally (p < 0.001) in the advanced stage, and patients treated with paclitaxel/platinum compared to patients treated with other chemotherapies (p < 0.001). The progression-free interval was longer in patients with early-stage (p = 0.003) and optimally debulked tumors (p = 0.001), as well as in those treated with paclitaxel/platinum (p = 0.049). Multivariate analysis showed that advanced-stage, non-optimal debulking and non-paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy were significant independent predictors of a shorter progression-free interval, and that non-optimal debulking and non-paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy were significant independent predictors of shorter overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Early-stage optimal debulking and adequate chemotherapy can influence time to progression and survival, indicating that the most effective treatment for patients with ovarian carcinosarcomas consists of optimal debulking surgery followed by paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy.

Malignant mixed Mullerian tumor of the ovary with two cases and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Malignant mixed Müllerian tumor (MMMT) of the ovary is a rare and highly aggressive tumor. It accounts <1% of all ovarian carcinomas. It is characterized by the presence of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components and tends to occur in low parity postmenopausal woman. These are mixed, mostly monoclonal tumors, and the predominance of the stromal component aggravates the prognosis. The staging system for ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer is also used for MMMT. After complete surgical staging, patient with stage II-IV at the time of surgery should have postoperative chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can be considered for stage I MMMT. Its optimal treatment is debatable. Taxane and platinum combination is standard for the epithelial ovarian carcinoma. There is very limited literature reporting this combination therapy in ovarian MMMTs. CASE 1 AND CASE 2: We presented two cases of stage III primary ovarian MMMT. The patients were treated with the taxane/platin combination, without adverse events following surgery, and remained in clinical remission in Case 1 at follow-up. Case 2 has progressed after first line taxane/platin regimen and treated like epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Case 1 was in complete remission in the follow-up visit 2 years later. Case 2 died 14 months later after the tumor was initially diagnosed.

CONCLUSION

Predominating carcinomatous or sarcomatous component should be taken into consideration in predicting the response and planning the chemotherapy protocol.

Primary malignant mixed Müllerian tumor arising from the mesorectum with a synchronous ovarian cancer: a case report and review of the literature

Introduction

Extragenital malignant mixed Müllerian tumor is an extremely rare presentation of malignant mixed Müllerian tumor, especially when combined with a synchronous ovarian cancer.

Case presentation

We report the clinical course and pathologic findings of a case of mesorectal malignant mixed Müllerian tumor with synchronous ovarian cancer, in a 50-year-old, gravida 0, para 0, Han Chinese woman with regular menstruation. This is the sixteenth case in the English literature of extragenital malignant mixed Müllerian tumor combined with synchronous or metachronous malignancy reported.

Conclusion

Although extragenital malignant mixed Müllerian tumor is very rare and has a poor prognososis, a longer survival time might be achieved with treatment by cytoreductive surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Malignant mixed mesodermal tumour of the ovary: clinicopathological features

Malignant mixed mesodermal tumours of the ovary have been described together with a literature review. The characteristic histological pictures of the various representative tissue elements have been demonstrated and patients characteristics analysed in detail. This confirms the classical features of this group of advanced ovarian malignancy that highlight the aggressive nature of the tumour associated with poor survival. Although generally they are managed in the same line as epithelial ovarian carcinomas the appropriate treatment has yet to be established. Because of their rarity they also illustrate the potential problems of instituting prospective randomised controlled trials.

A pilot study of cisplatin, ifosfamide and mesna in the treatment of malignant mixed mesodermal tumors of the ovary

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin and ifosfamide in the treatment of patients with malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (MMMT) of the ovary.

METHODS

Ten patients with histologically confirmed primary MMMT of the ovary diagnosed between 1993 and 2001 were enrolled in the study. Treatment consisted of cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1, followed by ifosfamide 2.0 g/m2 over 24 h on days 1, 2 and 3. Mesna, 400 mg/m2, was given IV immediately prior to and 4 and 8 h after the start of each ifosfamide infusion. Chemotherapy was repeated on a 28-day cycle if blood counts permitted. Standard response criteria were used. Nine patients were evaluable for response.

RESULTS

Eight of the nine patients responded to therapy, with 7 complete responses (78%) and 1 partial response. Seven of the eight responders (87.5%) eventually recurred. The median progression-free survival was 10 months (range 0-94.4 months). The median overall survival was 17.1 months (range 8-125.5 months). One patient remained free of disease 94.4 months after diagnosis, and one patient remained alive with recurrence 125.5 months following diagnosis. There were 13 grade 3 toxicities and 4 grade 4 toxicities. Four patients had grade 4 and three had grade 3 neutropenia, all of which required dose reductions.

CONCLUSION

The combination of cisplatin and ifosfamide/mesna demonstrated activity against MMMT of the ovary. Response durations were short, however, and the regimen was associated with significant toxicity. Novel agents with activity against MMMT of the ovary and acceptable toxicity are needed.

Malignant mixed mullerian tumors of the ovary: experience with cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based combination chemotherapy

This study reviews the clinical outcome and prognosis of patients with malignant mixed müllerian tumors (MMMTs) of the ovary treated with optimal cytoreductive surgery, leaving no residual disease, and platinum-based chemotherapy. Ten patients diagnosed with MMMT of the ovary after complete surgical staging from February 1993 to February 2004 at Asan Medical Center in Korea were studied retrospectively. All ten patients were treated with optimal cytoreductive surgery, leaving no gross residual disease. Seven patients received ifosfamide/cisplatin chemotherapy, and the remaining three patients received other platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Demographic data, pathologic findings, treatments, and survival time were reviewed. Of the ten patients, two were scored at FIGO stage IIC, seven were at stage IIIC, and one was at stage IV. The median survival time of all ten patients was 46 months. The overall survival rate was 60.0% at 1 year, 40.0% at 2 years, and 20.0% at 5 years. Platinum-based combination chemotherapy after optimal cytoreductive surgery may be effective in the treatment of ovarian MMMT.

Malignant Adnexal Masses in Pregnancy

Ovarian tumors during pregnancy are very rare; however, a cancer diagnosis causes distress to the couple. Reassurance is paramount, and the first consideration should be given to the safety of the mother. If both mother and fetus can be preserved, treatment to minimize the risks to both should be planned accordingly. It is imperative to care for the patient with a multidisciplinary team that includes a high-risk obstetrician, a gynecologic oncologist, and a medical oncologist specialized in gynecologic cancers.

Chemotherapy for malignant mixed Müllerian tumors of the ovary

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to review the chemotherapy experience at Magee-Womens Hospital for malignant mixed müllerian tumor (MMMT) of the ovary. Patients were treated with either paclitaxel/carboplatin (PC) outpatient chemotherapy or platinum/ifosfamide (PI) inpatient chemotherapy as first- or second-line therapy.

METHODS

Thirteen patients diagnosed with MMMT of the ovary after complete surgical staging from 1990 to 1999 were studied retrospectively. Six patients received PC combination chemotherapy, of which 3 patients received PC as first-line treatment. The other 3 patients received PC as second-line therapy. Eight patients were treated with PI. Demographic data, pathology, cytoreductive surgery, treatment, and survival rates were reviewed. Complete clinical response (CR) was defined as the disappearance of all measurable disease or normalization of elevated CA 125 level after chemotherapy. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival analysis.

RESULTS

The median survival time of patients receiving PC was 19 months. One patient, after receiving PC as first-line treatment, demonstrated a CR and is free of disease beyond 33 months. The median survival time of patients managed with PI was 23 months. Three patients with suboptimal disease demonstrated CR after receiving PI.

CONCLUSIONS

Optimal chemotherapy regimen for MMMT of ovary remains to be determined. Platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with ifosfamide or paclitaxel may be active against this rare malignancy.

Prolonged survival of stage IV malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the ovary after carboplatin, mesna, ifosfamide, and cis-platin chemotherapy: case report

Malignant mixed müllerian tumors (MMMT) of the ovary are rare, aggressive and rapidly progressive tumors. According to the available literature, the presence of metastatic disease rarely permits long term survival. We report on a 64-year old patient with stage IV ovarian MMMT who achieved a surgically-documented complete response (CR) after 6 cycles of carboplatin, mesna, ifosfamide, cis-platin. Pelvic recurrence was diagnosed 14 months later; the patient received 6 cycles of the same regimen used as first-line chemotherapy which resulted in a second complete response lasting for 4 months. The patient died 37 months after initial diagnosis due to intestinal occlusion. In the current case Ca 125 was significantly increased at clinical presentation of disease but not at the time of recurrence.

Malignant mixed mesodermal ovarian tumor treatment and prognosis: a 20-year experience

Mixed mesodermal sarcoma of the ovary is a rare clinical entity. To review the epidemiology, prognostic factors, and treatment results related to primary ovarian sarcoma at our center, a retrospective chart review of all patients referred for ovarian cancer was carried out from 1974 to 1994. Cases with confirmed pathologic diagnosis of primary mixed mesodermal ovarian sarcomas were selected, forming the present study group. Thirty-six charts were identified. The median age at presentation was 67.5 years. Findings at laparotomy demonstrated extraovarian metastasis in 33/35 patients. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy +/- omentectomy were performed in 34 patients, with 22 patients left with macroscopic residual disease after surgery. Follow-up adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and doxorubicin was administered to 29/36 patients. Follow-ups ranged from 1 to 11 years with a median of 2 years. As with epithelial ovarian cancer, residual disease after initial surgery is an important prognostic factor. Thirteen patients had a second-look laparotomy. Five patients were positive for disease. Eight patients, one of whom recurred, were histologically negative. The patients with positive second-look findings, as well as all those who recurred clinically, subsequently died within 12 months despite trials with different second-line chemotherapeutic agents. Survival analysis showed a median survival of 3 years among patients treated with combination cytotoxic chemotherapy. Primary ovarian sarcomas make up about 2-3% of all ovarian cancer cases seen in our center. These are often very aggressive tumors with widespread metastasis at the time of presentation, making optimal tumor debulking difficult. The combination of cisplatin and doxorubicin appears to have activity resulting in a survival of 35% at 5 years. Second-look surgery offers little helpful information on the management of these tumors.

Malignant mixed müllerian tumors of the ovary: experience with surgical cytoreduction and combination chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The role of surgical cytoreduction and combination chemotherapy for malignant mixed müllerian tumors (MMMT) of the ovary was evaluated.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 27 women with ovarian MMMT treated from 1980 to 1990 was performed.

RESULTS

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages for the 27 women were 1 Stage I, 3 Stage II, 17 Stage III, and 6 Stage IV. Only 10 of the 23 patients with Stage III or IV disease were cytoreduced optimally. With respect to postoperative therapy, 3 women received no treatment, 6 were treated with whole abdomen radiotherapy, 1 received melphalan, and 17 received chemotherapy incorporating a platinum agent (3), doxorubicin (4), or both (10). The significant prognostic factors were stage (P < 0.001) and, for women with Stage III or IV disease, the feasibility of cytoreductive surgery (P = 0.03). The four patients in Stages I or II remained disease free after an interval of at least 5 years. The median and 5-year survival rates for patients with Stages III or IV disease was 18 months and 8%, respectively. Patients in Stage III or IV for whom optimal cytoreduction was not possible had a 2-year survival of 14%, whereas optimal cytoreduction was associated with a 52% 2-year survival. Median survival for the 14 women with Stage III or IV ovarian MMMT treated with combination chemotherapy was 25 months and nine women achieved progression free intervals of greater than 18 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive surgical cytoreduction followed by combination chemotherapy may result in improved progression free intervals for women with advanced ovarian MMMT. However, a major improvement in prognosis for this rare malignancy has not yet been achieved.

Carcinosarcoma of the ovary: incidence, prognosis, treatment and survival of patients

BACKGROUND

Carcinosarcomas (also known as malignant mixed mullerian tumours) are rare malignant neoplasms that histologically contain both epithelial and stromal components.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

All cases of carcinosarcoma of the ovary presenting to the Royal Marsden Hospital from January 1975 to August 1993 were retrospectively analysed and the histological sections reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 37 cases of carcinosarcoma of the ovary representing 1.12% of the ovarian neoplasms seen at this institution. The median age of presentation was 65 years (range 26-85 years) and 70% of patients had advanced disease (FIGO stage III and IV). Clinical features at presentation were similar to those encountered in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. The overall median survival was 247 days with 40% 1-year survival and 6% 5-year survival for all stages. Early FIGO stage was the only independent prognostic factor for survival. Histology (homologous/heterologous subtypes; grade, type or percentage of the epithelial component) had no significant impact on survival. Adjuvant radiotherapy may have a role and single agent platinum compounds are active, giving a response rate of 35%.

CONCLUSIONS

The management of this tumour is difficult and randomised trials are needed to accrue sufficient patient numbers to demonstrate optimal therapy.

Estrogen and progesterone receptors in malignant mixed mesodermal tumors of the ovary

Malignant mixed mesodermal tumors of the ovary occur in less than 1% of cases of ovarian cancer. They have a dismal prognosis and the most effective type of therapy is still not known. All cases of malignant mixed mesodermal tumor of the ovary between January 1, 1985 and May 1, 1994 operated on by the gynecologic oncology service are the subject of this report. Data were obtained from the hospital and office records of the patients. Nine patients who had their primary surgery by the gynecologic oncology service were found to have the diagnosis of malignant mixed mesodermal tumor of the ovary. Homologous tumors were found in five patients and heterologous tumors in four. Homologous tumors (mean survival 15.2 months) showed a better survival than heterologous tumors (mean survival 6.5 months; P = 0.001). An elevated estrogen receptor status was shown to correspond to longer survival (P < 0.0001). Six specimens were considered to be estrogen receptor positive and three were receptor negative. The mean survival in those patients who had a positive estrogen receptor status, 13.7 months, with a median of 7.5 months was significantly higher than those who were not positive, 6.7 months (P = 0.019) with a median of 6.25 months. All specimens were progesterone receptor negative. Malignant mixed mesodermal tumors of the ovary have a dismal prognosis, no effective therapy, and controversial prognostic indicators. Increasing estrogen receptor status appeared to correlate with longer mean survival. Larger, multi-institutional studies need to be done to determine the overall significance of these findings.

Primary malignant mixed Müllerian tumor (metaplastic carcinoma) of the female peritoneum. A clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical study of three cases and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Malignant mixed mesodermal tumors (malignant mixed Müllerian tumors [MMMT]) occur rarely in extragenital sites.

METHODS

The authors analyzed the clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical features of three cases of primary MMMT of the female peritoneum.

RESULTS

The neoplasms occurred in 60-, 64- and 84-year-old women and arose from pelvic peritoneum. Two patients died with disseminated disease 8 and 24 months postoperatively. The third died of cardiac failure 12 months postoperatively with questionable metastatic disease. Microscopically, two tumors were of the heterologous type, containing foci of rhabdomyosarcomatous (case 1) and chondrosarcomatous (case 3) differentiation. Immunohistochemically, coexpression of keratin and vimentin was observed focally in both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components in all three neoplasms, whereas coexpression of low molecular weight cytokeratin, vimentin and actin was observed focally in case 2. Rhabdomyosarcomatous areas were positive with desmin and actin, and chondrosarcomatous areas for S-100 protein. Both epithelial and mesenchymal components were positive for alpha-1 antichymotrypsin in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the present cases and a review of 15 reports from the literature, primary MMMT of the female peritoneum proved to be a rare but highly malignant neoplasm occurring in elderly postmenopausal women. Of 15 patients with available follow-up, 12 died with disease, mostly within 1 year, regardless of the initial tumor stage, histology (homologous versus heterologous MMMT) or treatments attempted. The tumor developed within pelvic peritoneum in half the cases. Histogenetically, peritoneal MMMT are thought to represent "metaplastic" carcinomas originating from the secondary Müllerian system.