Intraperitoneal cisplatin chemotherapy versus abdominopelvic irradiation in ovarian carcinoma patients after second look laparotomy. A reassessment based on mature data.

In a previously published study we compared the outcome probability within 3 years after diagnosis in two groups of advanced ovarian carcinoma patients in complete clinical remission with minimal or no residual disease at second look laparotomy, performed after completion of cisplatin based combination chemotherapy. One group (n = 18) received after reexploration, abdominopelvic irradiation (RT group), the other diagnosed during a later period (n = 19), received after reexploration three courses of introperitoneal cisplatin chemotherapy with systemic thiosulfate protection (IP) group). In the present study the outcome of the same patients is compared after they have all been followed for at least 5 years or till death. A clear trend towards a more favorable, through statistically not significant, 5 year survival was observed (68%), in the IP group, vs 39% in the RT group (p = 0.07). In patients with a negative second-look laparotomy, the respective 5 year survival rates were 92% and 60% (p = 0.08). While the duration of the progression-free interval was similar in both treatment groups the survival after diagnosis of recurrence was significantly better in the IP group (41% vs 0%, p = 0.03).