Effective multimodality treatment of epithelial ovarian tumors.

Forty patients with epithelial ovarian tumors underwent cyto-reductive surgery followed by a five drug (Adriamycin, D.D.P., 5FU, M.T.X. and C.T.X.) combination chemo and progestin therapy. They all had an initial complete clinical response and 58% were complete histologic responders. One patient developed reactivated disease six months after a negative second look laparotomy. Two of four fatal outcomes were due to development of mixed mesodermal tumors in patients who originally had serous cystadenocarcinomas. We conclude that this regimen is highly effective, independent of residual tumor size, histologic grade of tumor and prior therapy. Its attendant toxicity is acceptably low.