Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary: a matched control study of advanced-stage patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare patients with advanced-stage transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary with those who had poorly differentiated serous carcinoma for surgical response and survival.

STUDY DESIGN

Sixty-two patients with transitional cell carcinoma were identified through a retrospective review and were matched with serous carcinoma patients for stage and residual disease. All patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. End points selected for analysis were surgical response, progression-free survival time, and survival time. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

The surgical complete response rate for patients with transitional cell carcinoma was 37%, compared with 11% for those with serous carcinoma (p < 0.001). The survival time was significantly longer for the patients with transitional cell carcinoma (median 52.3 vs 22.0 months) (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses strengthened these findings.

CONCLUSION

Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary is significantly more chemosensitive and associated with a better prognosis than the more common serous carcinoma.