Evaluation of the efficacy and toxicity profile associated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy use in older women

Abstract

ObjectiveIntraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy (CT) for treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has been shown to provide a substantial OS advantage. This study aims to compare the toxicity and benefits of IP CT in patients ≥70 with those <70. MethodsWe performed a single institution retrospective review of patients diagnosed with Stage IIA-IIIC EOC from 2000 to 2013 who received IP CT. Clinicopathologic characteristics were extracted, and survival was calculated. Results133 patients were included with 100 pts. <70years old and 33 pts. ≥70years old. Clinical trial enrollment was similar despite age. In trial enrolled patients, older patients received statistically fewer cycles of therapy (6.4 vs 5.8, p=0.002) but had similar dose delays (0.9 vs 0.7, p=0.72), and modifications (0.9 vs 0.36, p=0.11). Median PFS (27 vs 31months) and OS (71 and 62months) were not statistically different. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was significantly worse in the older patients (82% vs 100%, p=0.04). Neuropathy grade ≥2 and other non-hematologic toxicities were not different between age groups. ConclusionsDespite completing fewer cycles of IP CT, older EOC patients had comparable survival to younger patients. The population of older patients receiving IP CT in this study were on clinical trial and likely to be heartier than the general older population. IP CT appears well tolerated and effective among select older patients and is likely under-utilized outside of clinical trials.