Ovarian Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ovarian Cancer, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, information.

The administration of chemotherapy in a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth and ovarian cancer.

Martino MA, Miller E, Grendys EC

Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida, H. Lee. Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. Martinma@moffitt.usf.edu

BACKGROUND: Standard adjuvant chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian carcinoma most commonly consists of a combination of carboplatin with a taxane derivative. However, treatment-related side effects such as peripheral neuropathy and neutropenia can be debilitating and in certain patient populations alterations may need to be considered. CASE: We describe a case of a patient with epithelial ovarian carcinoma who had pre-existing peripheral neuropathy secondary to Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT). She developed a distal sensory and motor neuropathy after her first treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel and was unable to walk, write, or drive. Upon transfer of care to our center, we changed her taxane to docetaxel and her symptoms improved dramatically. We discuss the outcome of her treatment and the effects of paclitaxel on her underlying peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease who require chemotherapy may not be able to tolerate the neurotoxic side effects of paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. Consideration of alternative, less neurotoxic treatment regimens containing docetaxel may be considered.

Published 2 May 2005 in Gynecol Oncol, 97(2): 710-2.
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