Cisplatin-based chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer: initial experience in an Indian set-up.

Forty patients of advanced ovarian carcinoma were treated with monthly cycles of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and cisplatin. Debulking surgery was done in 29 cases. Clinical complete response was seen in 70 percent and an overall response in 85 percent of cases. The median follow-up was 30 months. The actuarial overall survival was 45 percent and the disease free survival was 35 percent at 3 years. The present protocol appears to have an important influence on initial control of disease but relapses continue to occur following the treatment. Cytoreductive surgery before or after three cycles of chemotherapy has a favourable influence on disease free survival (DFS). Prolonged follow up will be necessary to determine the overall influence on long term survival.