A case of rapidly growing ovarian squamous cell carcinoma successfully controlled by weekly paclitaxel-carboplatin administration

Background. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary is uncommon and has a poor prognosis. Because of its rarity, the effective postoperative treatment is unknown. We describe a remarkable response of this tumor to weekly paclitaxel- carboplatin administration. Case. A 53-year-old woman had rapidly growing primary squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary that metastasized to the abdominal wall and transverse colon after maximum cytoreductive surgery. The tumor was resistant to primary chemotherapy with cisplatin, vincristine, mitomycin C, and bleomycin. A combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin was used for second-line chemotherapy and was repeated every week. The patient tolerated the chemotherapy well and demonstrated a pathological complete response in the abdominal metastases following the five courses of chemotherapy. Conclusion. Weekly paclitaxel-carboplatin administration may be a safe and effective treatment for advanced and rapidly growing ovarian squamous cell carcinoma with primary resistance to chemotherapy. (C) 2000 Academic Press.