Role of chemotherapy and biomolecular therapy in the treatment of uterine sarcomas

• Published in: Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 773 - 782
• Main Author: Hensley, Martee L., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2011
• Subjects: Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; carcinosarcoma; Carcinosarcoma - drug therapy; Carcinosarcoma - surgery; chemotherapy; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Female; high undifferentiated sarcoma; Humans; Leiomyosarcoma - drug therapy; Leiomyosarcoma - surgery; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Sarcoma - drug therapy; Sarcoma - surgery; uterine leiomyosarcoma; Uterine Neoplasms - drug therapy; Uterine Neoplasms - surgery; uterine leiomyosarcoma; carcinosarcoma; high undifferentiated sarcoma; chemotherapy
• ISSN: 1521-6934; 1532-1932
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2011.06.003

Uterine sarcomas are rare, high-risk malignancies. Expert histologic review is important for accurate diagnosis. For high-grade leiomyosarcomas, the risk of recurrence is high after complete resection of uterus-limited disease; however, no adjuvant therapy has been proven to improve survival. Chemotherapy regimens with efficacy in treating advanced uterine leiomyosarcoma include gemcitabine-docetaxel, doxorubicin and ifosfamide. Uterine carcinosarcomas also carry a high risk of recurrence. Adjuvant chemotherapy is a standard approach for completely resected and metastatic carcinosarcoma. Active agents include carboplatin, cisplatin, ifosfamide and paclitaxel.