[Chemotherapy in 143 advanced epithelial cancers of the ovary. Experience at the Hôtel-Dieu of Quebec and Hôpital Saint-Antoine (Paris)].

Results of initial chemotherapy in 143 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer are presented. Twenty-five patients were treated with alkylating agents, their median survival was 13 months and 15% were alive at 4 years. Nineteen received Cyclophosphamide-Methotrexate-5 Fluorouracil with or without Hexamethylmelamine, median survival was 22 months and 4 years survival was 20%. Forty-eight were treated with Adriamycin and Cisplatinum, their objective response rate proven by second-look laparotomy was 54.4% (26.1% complete response), median survival was 23 months and 35% were alive at 4 years. Thirty-one received Hexamethylmelamine, 5 Fluorouracil, Adriamycin and Cisplatinum with a median survival of 18 months and 4 years survival of 15%. Twenty had various other chemotherapy regimens, their median survival was only 8 months. Recent advances in the therapy of ovarian carcinoma are also discussed.