Comparing paclitaxel-platinum with ifosfamide-platinum as the front-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced-stage uterine carcinosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) is a rare but highly lethal disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy is highly recommended for advanced UCS. To date, the standard chemotherapy regimen is still uncertain, although two regimens as paclitaxel-platinum (PP) and ifosfamide-platinum (IP) regimens are most commonly used. The aims of the current study attempt to compare both regimens in the management of advanced UCS patients. METHODS: We evaluated advanced UCS patients who were treated either with PP or with IP after primary cytoreductive surgery in single institute retrospectively. The clinical-pathological parameters, recurrence, and survival were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients were analyzed. Twelve patients received adjuvant PP therapy, and the remaining four patients received IP therapy. The median follow-up time was 28 months, ranging from 3.8 months to 121 months. Disease-related death occurred in 10 patients (62.5%). The median progression-free survival was 4.9 months, ranging from 3.8 months to 36.5 months in IP, and 23.1 months, ranging from 9.3 months to 121 months in PP, with statistically significant difference (p = 0.04). The median overall survival was 9.5 months (ranging from 3.8 months to 36.5 months) and 28.7 months (ranging from 10.3 months to 121 months) in IP and PP, respectively, without statistically significant difference (p = 0.06). Presence of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenopathy and deep myometrial invasion (>1/2) were associated with worse prognosis by univariate analysis. No prognostic factor could be identified using multivariate analysis model. CONCLUSION: In the current study, due to extremely little number of subjects enrolled, the advantage of using paclitaxel-platinum regimen in the management of advanced UCS was still unclear, although a certain trend of favoring was supposed. We are looking forward to seeing more studies to identify the approximate regimen in the management of this highly lethal disease.

Paclitaxel-related dermatological problems: Not only alopecia occurs.

OBJECTIVE: Dermatological problems after chemotherapy are often neglected with gynecological oncologists. Since paclitaxel is one of most popular agents for gynecology organ-related cancers, dermatologic change after paclitaxel treatment is seldom reported before. CASE REPORT: Two patients with gynecological organ malignancy who underwent the postoperative dose-dense weekly schedule of paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 plus carboplatin (area of curve 5) every three weeks had repeat dermatological problems (skull, facial and upper trunk areas) during the treatment. They included dermatitis, eczema, and folliculitis. Topical use of anti-fungal cream and oral anti-histamine agents stopped the disease progression and all had completed their chemotherapy without interruption. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of paclitaxel-induced skin toxicities, especially on the skull, face and upper trunk areas to minimize the occurrence of severe morbidity and to provide the better quality of life when cure is our primary priority in the management of gynecological organs-related malignancies.

Update on the differential diagnosis of gynecologic organ-related diseases in women presenting with ascites.

In 2008, we published a review article entitled "Differential diagnosis of gynecologic organ-related diseases in women presenting with ascites" in the Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecololgy. Ascites might be the results of the physiological or pathological status, and the underlying mechanisms varied greatly in the different genders. The diagnostic challenge is frequently found in clinical practice. This review summarizes the recent knowledge and clinical practice for women presenting with ascites. Approach includes history, physical examination, laboratory examination, ultrasound, paracentesis and possible laparoscopy. Accurate and prompt diagnosis not only provides the better care and management but also diminishes the unnecessary psychological stress in women presenting with ascites.