Luigi Frigerio

Gynecologic Oncology 61, 218-220,1996
( In Coll. con G.Mangili, E.Garavaglia, G.Candotti, A.Ferrari )
Summary: Careful selection and treatment monitoring of patients with gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTT) is a critical point because 20-50% of patients may develop a resistance and consequently require alternative chemotherapeutic agents. In our study we propose and demonstrate the efficacy of etoposide (VP16) as a second-line drug. An average of 5 courses with VP16 were used to achieve a remission in 12 patients resistant to MTX with low-risk GTT. Toxicity was mild and no resistance to VP16 was observed. A follow-up of 66 months (range 22-109) has been performed for the patients and all of them are now disease free. Two patients had a pregnancy, respectively, 3 and 4 years after treatment. The others did not desire any pregnancy.