Undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma of the uterus: marked effect of chemotherapy with tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin, paclitaxel, and carboplatin

Abstract

Undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma of the uterus is rare, and is thought to show a poor prognosis. To date, there is no consensus as to the optimal chemotherapy for this carcinoma. We report a rare case of this carcinoma in a patient who was treated surgically in combination with chemotherapy using a regimen designed by us. This chemotherapy consists of tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin, paclitaxel, and carboplatin. This regimen is called TTJ [tetrahydropryanyl-adriamycin, taxan (paclitaxel), JM-8 (carboplatin)] chemotherapy and showed a marked effect. The patient was a 52-year-old woman with a giant tumor of the uterus measuring 28 x 18 x 13 cm and weighing 3386 g. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy, but residual carcinoma remained on the surface of the small intestine. Pathologically tumor tissues comprised the whole uterus except for the uterine cervix and there were tumor tissues in the omentum. She was treated with six courses of TTJ chemotherapy without major side-effects. Currently, she remains alive without metastasis 41 months after hysterectomy. This report describes a rare case of undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma of the uterus and introduces TTJ chemotherapy resulting in the remarkable effect on this carcinoma.

Survival outcomes in patients with undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma

“…The literature includes a case report, in which tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin (THP), paclitaxel, and carboplatin regimen has been successfully used as an alternative chemotherapy regimen. In this case report, Hayashi et al declared that they observed 41month survival using this regimen in an advanced-stage patient 12 . We found no other study performed later using this chemotherapy regimen in UEC patients.…”

Undifferentiated Endometrial Carcinoma: A Diagnosis Frequently Overlooked

“…5 Treatment modalities include total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy, as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with regimens similar to those for endometrioid carcinoma FIGO grade 3. Hayashi et al 18 reported a successful experience with a case of UEC that was treated by surgery in conjunction with a combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of tetrahydropryanyladriamycin, taxane (paclitaxel), and JM-8 (carboplatin), the TTJ regimen. The patient was treated with 6 cycles of TTJ and achieved complete response.…”