International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society
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Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer · Mar 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA randomized prospective study of comparison of reservoir ports versus conventional vascular access in advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma cases treated with chemotherapy.
Vascular access ports were developed to overcome many of the problems associated with limited peripheral access, combined with the need for frequent venipuncture, in oncology patients receiving long-term intensive therapy. In this study, we compared the effectivity and acceptability of vascular access port with conventional needle application together with complication rates in ovarian cancer patients. Advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma cases under chemotherapy treatment were equally randomized into two groups, implantable vascular access ports applied to one group (22 cases) and conventional vascular access applied to the other (38 cases) as a control group. ⋯ Application of reservoir ports especially to cases with advanced-stage carcinomas, under chemotherapeutic drug treatment, leads to minimal anxiety for the patient and his/her family and minimal risk of physical trauma to the patient with only one vascular access. Reservoir ports occlude or cause infection to a lesser extent than classic vascular access methods. Occlusion or infection rates of reservoir ports are statistically significant, lower than those of classic venipuncture.
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Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer · Mar 2005
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer: a case-control study.
The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with those treated conventionally with primary debulking surgery. From 1994 to 2003, all consecutive cases of advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma treated with NACT at the University of Bari were identified. A well-balanced group of women who underwent primary debulking surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy was selected as controls. ⋯ However, no statistical difference was observed in overall disease-specific survival (P= 0.66) and disease-free survival (P= 0.25) between the two groups. Although patients in the NACT group are significantly older and have a poorer performance status, this treatment modality does not compromise survival. Prospective randomized trials comparing NACT to conventional treatment to determine the quality of life and cost/benefit outcomes are now appropriate for women presenting advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.