Chemotherapy for endometrial cancer: Survey of practice among Thai gynecologic oncologists

Abstract

© Journal of The Medical Association of Thailand Objective: To assess practice of the Thai gynecologic oncologists on the use of chemotherapy for endometrial cancer (EMC). Materials and Methods: The present study was a part of the Thai Gynecologic Cancer Society survey which collected data of practice on gynecologic cancer of the Thai gynecologic oncologists who were currently working in the country for at least one year. The web-based questionnaire was open for a response from August to October, 2019. This study retrieved data of chemotherapy for EMC regarding the type or regimen of chemotherapy, settings when chemotherapy was used of either first-, second-, third- or further-line, and also the setting when non-chemotherapy palliative treatment was used. Results: Out of 258 gynecologic oncologists who met inclusion criteria, 169 responded to the questionnaire regarding chemotherapy use for EMC (65.5%). The duration of practice ranged from 1 to 42 years (median 5 years). More than 80% worked in government hospitals and tertiary-level hospitals. Paclitaxel/carboplatin (97.6%) was the most common first-line regimen whereas doxorubicin/ cisplatin (75.2%) was most commonly used as a second-line chemotherapy regimen. Single-agent was more commonly used as third- or further-line drugs than combination regimens. Among the single agent, liposomal doxorubicin was the most common agent. Hormonal treatment was selected by 12.9% of the respondents as the third- or further-line treatment. Of note, 51.4% of respondents selected palliative treatment after failure from second-line chemotherapy especially when doxorubicin/cisplatin was used as the first-line drug. Conclusion: Thai gynecologic oncologists used paclitaxel/carboplatin and doxorubicin/cisplatin regimens as the most common first- and second-line chemotherapy for EMC patients, respectively. Single-agent was commonly selected as third- or further-line of chemotherapy, with liposomal doxorubicin as the most common drug.