Prognostic benefit of ≥6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers

Abstract

Background/Aim: A higher number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) cycles translate to a lower risk of morbidity and mortality, but few studies have analyzed the prognostic impact of >4 cycles of NACT. Patients and Methods: Overall, 52 patients [31 patients, NACT plus interval debulking surgery (IDS); 21 patients, NACT alone owing to progressive disease] who underwent NACT between January 2008 and December 2014 were evaluated. Results: In total, 6, 7-10, and 11-18 cycles of NACT were performed in 52.3%, 27.3%, and 20.5% of the patients, respectively. The median overall survival was 76.0 months (range=36.0-94.0 months), and the median progression-free survival was 26.0 months (range=18.0-54.0 months) in the NACT plus IDS group. Conclusion: At least six cycles of NACT plus IDS are associated with a lower rate of multi-organ resection and a high rate of complete resection or optimal (<1 cm) following IDS.