Trends in the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for low-grade serous ovarian cancer in the United States

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe trends in neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) use for low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC) and to quantify associations between NACT and extent of cytoreductive surgery. MethodsWe identified women treated for stage III or IV serous ovarian cancer in a Commission on Cancer accredited program between January 2004–December 2020. Regression models were developed to evaluate trends in NACT use for LGSOC, to identify factors associated with receipt of NACT, and to quantify associations between NACT and bowel or urinary resection at the time of surgery. Demographic and clinical factors were used for confounder control. ResultsWe observed 3350 patients who received treatment for LGSOC during the study period. The proportion of patients who received NACT increased from 9.5% in 2004 to 25.9% in 2020, corresponding to an annual percent change of 7.2% (95% CI 5.6–8.9). Increasing age (rate ratio (RR) 1.15; 95% CI 1.07–1.24), and stage IV disease (RR 2.66; 95% CI 2.31–3.07) were associated with a higher likelihood of receiving NACT. For patients with high-grade disease, NACT was associated with a decrease in likelihood of bowel or urinary surgery (35.3% versus 23.9%; RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.65–0.71). For LGSOC, NACT was associated with a higher likelihood of these procedures (26.6% versus 32.2%; RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.08–1.42). ConclusionNACT use among patients with LGSOC has increased from 2004 to 2020. While NACT was associated with a lower rate of gastrointestinal and urinary surgery among patients with high-grade disease, patients with LGSOC receiving NACT were more likely to undergo these procedures.