Feasibility and safety of extensive upper abdominal surgery in elderly patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

[Epithelial ovarian cancer and elderly patients. Article drafted from the French Guidelines in oncology entitled "Initial management of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer" developed by FRANCOGYN, CNGOF, SFOG, GINECO-ARCAGY under the aegis of CNGOF and endorsed by INCa]

In ovarian, tubal and primary peritoneal cancers, older adults have an over-mortality due to more aggressive disease (NP4), surgical and chemotherapy under treatment (NP4) and co-morbidities (NP4). Older age is at higher risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality (NP4). Surgery is more often incomplete in this elderly population (NP4). Older age is a risk factor for lower dose intensity in adjuvant chemotherapy (NP4) and incomplete chemotherapy (NP4). Nevertheless, the benefit of a complete surgery remains identical to that of the younger population (NP2). Preoperative functional assessment identifies patients at risk for postoperative complications (NP4). The perioperative risk depends on three variables, the ASA score, the age and the complexity score of the surgery (NP4). It is recommended to perform cytoreduction surgery in an expert centre (grade C) and on the basis of geriatric expertise analysing functional and physical performance (grade C). The benefit/risk balance of surgery should be assessed on a case-by-case basis for the most at-risk (NP4) populations defined by: (i) age≥80 years, especially if albuminemia≤37g/L; (ii) age≥75 years and FIGO stage IV; (iii) age≥75 years, stage FIGO III and≥1 comorbidity. A comprehensive geriatric assessment is recommended prior to the management of an elderly person with primary ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer (grade C). The GVS (Geriatric Vulnerability Score) is used to identify vulnerable elderly patients (NP2). In fit elderly patients, it is recommended to perform intravenous chemotherapy identical to that of younger patients (ie platinum-based dual therapy) (grade B). In vulnerable elderly patients, various adapted chemotherapy regimens have been prospectively evaluated in non-comparative trials, and seem feasible considering specific and nonspecific toxicities: carboplatin monotherapy (NP2), carboplatin AUC2+paclitaxel 60mg/m² 3 weeks/4 (NP2), carboplatin AUC 4-5+paclitaxel 135mg/m²/3 weeks (NP2), carboplatin AUC5/3 weeks+paclitaxel 60mg/m²/week (NP3). In the absence of comparative data, no recommendation can be made in this population. Primary chemotherapy decreases the complexity of the surgical procedure and perioperative morbidity and mortality during interval surgery (NP1). It should be considered after 70 years in cases of comorbidities and/or peritoneal carcinomatosis sufficient for complex initial surgery (NP4).

Examining Survival Outcomes of 852 Women With Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Multi-institutional Cohort Study

Introduction

This study examines patterns of clinical practice in the management of women with advanced high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC).

Methods

A total of 852 patients with advanced HGSC were included in this retrospective cohort analysis. Patients underwent primary cytoreductive surgery (PCS) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Wilcoxon rank-sum test and χ2 test were applied. Univariate- and multivariate-analyses were performed, and survival outcomes were measured using Kaplan–Meier curves.

Results

A total of 449 (53%) of 852 patients underwent PCS, and 403(47%) of 852 patients underwent NACT. The median 5-year overall survival (OS) was 3.89 in PCS and 2.48 in NACT. Patients with 0 mm residual had OS of 4.66, compared with 1- to 9-mm residual (OS = 2.80) and 10-mm residual or longer (OS = 2.50). The survival advantage harbored by the extent of surgical cytoreduction was more pronounced in PCS compared with NACT (P < 0.001). Patients who had PCS with 1- to 9-mm residual had similar OS to NACT patients with 0-mm residual (P = 0.17) and superior OS to NACT with 1- to 9-mm residual (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In this multicenter study, 53% of women with advanced HGSC seen by a gynecologic oncologist were selected for PCS. Survival was longer in patients who underwent PCS than patients who underwent NACT. Within each group, survival was highest in those who had complete cytoreduction to 0-mm residual disease. We believe all patients with advanced HGSC should be assessed by a gynecologic oncologist for the feasibility of surgical resection. Primary cytoreductive surgery should be the favorable treatment modality with the goal of complete resection to 0 mm residual disease. Importantly, if 0 mm residual is not feasible, PCS to a residual of 1 to 9 mm should be attempted given the survival advantage in this group over patients who were treated with NACT.

The Application and Outcome of Standard of Care Treatment in Elderly Women with Ovarian Cancer: A Literature Review over the Last 10 Years

The rising number and increasing longevity of the elderly population calls for improvements and potentially a more personalized approach to the treatment of cancer in this group. Elderly patients frequently present with a number of comorbidities, complicating surgery and chemotherapy tolerability. In the case of ovarian cancer, elderly women present with more advanced disease, making the issue of providing adequate treatment without significant morbidity critical. Most studies support the application of standard of care treatment to elderly women with ovarian cancer, yet it seems to be offered less frequently in the elderly. The objective of this review is to examine the application and outcome of standard of care treatment in elderly women with ovarian cancer. The aim is to ultimately improve the approach to treatment in this group.

Total rectosigmoidectomy versus partial rectal resection in primary debulking surgery for advanced ovarian cancer

PURPOSE

To compare in a sample of Italian patients intraoperative, perioperative complications, Quality of Life (QoL), recurrence rate and overall survival of advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) patients according to the type of surgery performed on sigma-rectum, total rectosigmoid resection (TRR) versus partial rectosigmoid resection (PRR).

METHODS

From May 2004 to May 2010, consecutive patients affected by epithelial AOC (FIGO Stage III-IV) were assessed for this prospective case-control study, According to the type of colorectal surgery performed to approach rectosigmoid involvement, patients were allocated into Group A (TRR) and Group B (PRR). PRR was performed when the complete removal of disease led to a laceration <30-40% of intestinal wall circumference.

RESULTS

82 and 72 patients were included in Group A and Group B respectively. Surgical outcomes were statistically similar except hospital stay which was significantly lower in the PRR group. There was not a statistically significant difference as regarding intra-operative, perioperative and postoperative complications, even if a higher rate of major complications were recorded in TRR. An improvement in QoL's scores has been recorded in PRR's group. There was not a statistically difference concerning the optimal debulking rate (92% and 96% respectively) and 5-year Overall Survival (48% and 52% respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

PRR seems to be feasible in over 40% of patients with advanced ovarian cancer and recto-sigmoid colon involvement. It is related to higher QoL and can be easily performed, without jeopardizing surgical radicality, in those cases in which conservative surgery at intestinal tract does not compromise residual tumor.

Cost-utility comparison of neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus primary debulking surgery for treatment of advanced-stage ovarian cancer in patients 65 years old or older

OBJECTIVE

Treatment for advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC) includes primary debulking surgery (PDS) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). A randomized controlled trial comparing these treatments resulted in comparable overall survival (OS). Studies report more complications and lower chemotherapy completion rates in patients 65 years old or older receiving PDS. We sought to evaluate the cost implications of NACT relative to PDS in AEOC patients 65 years old or older.

STUDY DESIGN

A 5 year Markov model was created. Arm 1 modeled PDS followed by 6 cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel (CT). Arm 2 modeled 3 cycles of CT, followed by interval debulking surgery and then 3 additional cycles of CT. Parameters included OS, surgical complications, probability of treatment initiation, treatment cost, and quality of life (QOL). OS was assumed to be equal based on the findings of the international randomized control trial. Differences in surgical complexity were accounted for in base surgical cost plus add-on procedure costs weighted by occurrence rates. Hospital cost was a weighted average of diagnosis-related group costs weighted by composite estimates of complication rates. Sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Assuming equal survival, NACT produces a cost savings of $5616. If PDS improved median OS by 1.5 months or longer, PDS would be cost effective (CE) at a $100,000/quality-adjusted life-year threshold. If PDS improved OS by 3.2 months or longer, it would be CE at a $50,000 threshold. The model was robust to variation in costs and complication rates. Moderate decreases in the QOL with NACT would result in PDS being CE.

CONCLUSION

A model based on the RCT comparing NACT and PDS showed NACT is a cost-saving treatment compared with PDS for AEOC in patients 65 years old or older. Small increases in OS with PDS or moderate declines in QOL with NACT would result in PDS being CE at the $100,000/quality-adjusted life-year threshold. Our results support further evaluation of the effects of PDS on OS, QOL and complications in AEOC patients 65 years old or older.

Clinicopathological features and surgical safety of gastric cancer in elderly patients

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers, especially among the elderly. However little is known about gastric cancer in elderly patients. This study was designed to evaluate the specific features of gastric cancer in elderly patients. Medical records of 1,107 patients who had radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer between June 2005 and December 2009 were reviewed. They were divided into young (<65 yr, n=676), young-old (65-74 yr, n=332), and old-old age group (≥75 yr, n=99). Increased CA 19-9 (5.6%, 13.4%, 14.6%, P=0.001), advanced diseases (42.5%, 47.0%, and 57.6, P=0.014), and node metastasis (37.6%, 38.9%, 51.5%, P=0.029) were more common in the young-old and old-old age groups. There were no significant differences in Helicobacter pylori status (63.6%, 56.7%, 61.2%, P=0.324) between the three groups. Surgery-related complication rates were similar in the three groups (5.3%, 5.1%, 8.1%, P=0.497). Microsatellite instability (P<0.001) and p53 overexpression (P<0.001) were more common among the elderly. The elderly group had more synchronous tumors (7.5%, 10.2%, 17.2%; P=0.006). Surgery can be applied to elderly gastric cancer without significant risk of complications. However, considering the more advanced disease and synchronous tumors among the elderly, care should be taken while deciding the extent of surgery for elderly gastric cancer.

Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis in the elderly

Background. The combined treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a rigorous surgical treatment, most suitable for young and good performance status patients. We evaluated the outcomes of elderly patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis with careful perioperative care. Methods. All consecutive patients 70 years of age or older who were treated for peritoneal carcinomatosis over the past five years were included. Primary outcomes were perioperative morbidity and mortality. Secondary outcomes were disease-free survival and overall survival. Results. From a pool of 100 patients, with a diagnosis of PC who underwent CRS and HIPEC in our center, we have included 30 patients at an age of 70 years or older and the results were compared to the patients younger than 70 years. The total morbidity rate was 50% versus 41.5% in the group younger than 70 years (NSS). The mortality rate was 3.3% in the elderly group versus 1.43% in the younger group (NSS). Median overall survival was 30 months in the older group versus 38 months in the younger group. Conclusion. Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis may be safely performed with acceptable morbidity in selected elderly patients.

Does Extensive Upper Abdomen Surgery During Primary Cytoreduction Impact on Long-term Quality of Life?

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility in terms of safety and quality of life in a sample of Italian patients affected by advanced ovarian cancer and submitted to either extensive upper abdomen or standard surgery, through validated questionnaires.

Methods

From January 2006 to November 2011, a prospective, observational study was conducted to compare quality of life in patients affected by advanced ovarian cancer and submitted to primary cytoreduction in the Division of Gynecology of the University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome. After surgery patients were stratified into 2 groups (group A: standard surgery or group B: extensive upper abdomen surgery). All patients were submitted to standard chemotherapy. At completion of treatment, during the first follow-up visit, all eligible patients were asked to fill in Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30) (version 3.0) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-OV28 (QLQ-OV28) questionnaires.

Results

Eighty-nine patients were enrolled into our study. Nine were excluded, so finally 80 patients were considered in this study. Group A included 40 patients and underwent standard surgery (pelvic surgery); group B, included 40 patients and underwent extensive upper abdomen surgery. There were no statistical differences in terms of major surgical complication rates (15% vs 10%). We registered same times of beginning of chemotherapy (median, 19 vs 21 days) and no severe related toxicities. Quality-of-life scores of both questionnaires were comparable between groups, with the exception of Global Health Status in QLC-30.

Conclusions

Upper abdomen surgery is a feasible and safe therapeutic option. Patients present same times of beginning of chemotherapy without an increase in chemorelated toxicities and experience the same general quality of life.

Management of the Elderly Patient With Gynecologic Cancer: Report of the 2011 Workshop in Geriatric Gynecologic Oncology

Abstract

Reflecting the worldwide aging trend and close association of aging with cancer, geriatric oncology is now growing beyond its pioneer years. Nevertheless, geriatric oncology in the gynecologic field is in the beginning stage; indeed, there is no geriatric specialist who is trained in this particular field of gynecologic oncology. Therefore, we held the first workshop in geriatric gynecologic oncology. In this review, we summarize what we discussed at the workshop and provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancer in elderly individuals.