Docetaxel is effective in the treatment of metastatic endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND

Systemic treatment of endometrial carcinoma with distant metastases is currently performed, inter alia, with anthracyclines, platinum, paclitaxel, if osfamid or progestins. This is the first report presenting experience in treatment of metastatic endometrial carcinoma with docetaxel.

METHODS

A 69-year-old women with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium was treated with primary combined radiotherapy. Two years later disseminated bilateral pulmonary metastases were detected and the patient was submitted to chemotherapy with epirubicin. After three cycles of chemotherapy with epirubicin examinations revealed metastatic progression. Thus, chemotherapy was changed to docetaxel.

RESULTS

After three cycles of chemotherapy with docetaxel examinations revealed remission of the described pulmonary metastases more than 50%. A further three cycles of chemotherapy with docetaxel lead to continuing shrinkage of the detectable metastases to less than 25% of the original size. Because of various side effects, like increasing fatigue and asthenia, uncomfortable acral paresthesia and allergic skin reactions, the patient refused to continue chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that docetaxel may be an active agent in patients with metastatic endometrial cancer, but care should be taken to minimize side-effects.