Long-term follow-up of patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma treated with debulking surgery and chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. Gynecologic Oncology Group of the Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Between June 1980 and December 1984, 88 patients with stage III-IV ovarian carcinoma were entered in a study evaluating the role of debulking surgery and chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin intravenously on day 1, every 4 weeks (CAP-1). The results after a median follow-up of 62 months (range 41-93 months) are presented. The median survival of all patients was 24 months (30 alive, 58 dead). The 5-year progression-free survival of all patients was 27% and the overall survival was 33%. Of patients with stage III disease debulked to lesions less than or equal to 1.5 cm before the initiation of chemotherapy (n = 34) the 5-year progression-free survival was 52%. Of 31 patients with a histologically documented complete response the median survival was 55+ months; 9 (29%) of them relapsed as opposed to 8 of 10 achieving microscopic residual disease at second look. Of 22 patients with stage IV disease, 20 died. This report confirms that patients who have undergone surgical removal of of bulk tumor and who achieve a complete remission have an improved survival outcome.