BACKGROUNDThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and embolization via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries in treating patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma.

METHODSForty-two patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma (study group) were treated via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries after cytoreductive surgery and 7 courses of adjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Primary cytoreductive surgery was performed in 43 patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma (control group), and then followed by 8 courses of adjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy. The rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery, survival rate, blood loss during operation and operative time were investigated in the two groups. Statistical significance was assessed using Student's t test, the Chi-square test and the log-rank test.

RESULTSIn the study group, the rate of optimum debulking after platinum-based chemotherapy and embolization via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries was 71.43% (30/42) (chi(2) = 10.06, P < 0.005), and 9 (21.43%) of the 42 patients showed no gross residual disease after surgery. Blood loss and operative time were significantly decreased in the study group as compared with those in the control group (665.24 +/- 37.61 ml: 849.31 +/- 41.20 ml, t(1) = 33.21, P(1) < 0.001; 4.23 +/- 0.21 hours: 6.15 +/- 0.38 hours, t(2) = 28.92, P(2) < 0.01). In the study group, the mean survival time and the median overall survival were 33.66 months (95% CI, 24.73 to 42.58) and 26.00 months (95% CI, 19.22 to 32.78), respectively. The median disease-free interval was 18.20 months. In the control group, the mean survival time and the median overall survival were 32.38 months (95% CI, 24.92 to 39.84) and 25.00 months (95% CI, 22.80 to 27.20), respectively. The median disease-free interval was 14.20 months. The overall survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups (chi(2) = 6.48, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNeoadjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy and embolization via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries is an alternative treatment for patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma, in whom the chance of optimal cytoreductive surgery is low. The treatment can reduce blood loss, decrease operative time, and increase the rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery; but the median survival can't be improved significantly.