The median survival period is 24.4 months for women receiving the standard treatment of cisplatin and cyclophosphamide. The study was conducted by William McGuire, M.D., professor of medicine, Winship Cancer Center of Emory University, in conjunction with the Gynecologic Oncology Group of the National Cancer Institute. Today's NEJM contains the first published report of the trials. This is the first time in more than 15 years, since cisplatin was developed and incorporated into the initial therapy of ovarian cancer, that these patients have shown a notable improvement in survival. Physicians are now evaluating paclitaxel for use as a primary treatment in early stages of ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other female reproductive system cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 14,500 women will have died of the disease in 1995, and 26,000 new cases will have been diagnosed. The Winship Cancer Center is dedicated to the integration of innovative clinical and basic research with outstanding patient care for the prevention, treatment and control of cancer. Winship Cancer Center is part of Emory University's Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center. All Rights Reserved.