Objective Uterine carcinosarcoma (CS) is a rare neoplasm whose adjuvant treatment has not been yet defined. We report on the activity and toxicity of cisplatin-ifosfamide and carboplatin-paclitaxel as adjuvant treatments for patients with uterine CS.

Methods Data of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I to IV uterine CS patients treated between 2006 and 2012 with adjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin 20 mg/mq and ifosfamide 1500 mg/mq day 1 to 4 every 3 weeks plus prophylactic Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support [group A] or carboplatin area under the curve -5 (AUC-5) and paclitaxel 175 mg/mq d1q21 [group B]) were retrospectively reviewed. Progression-free survival, overall survival, and chemotherapy-related toxicities were compared between the 2 groups. A subanalysis of oncologic outcomes according to the sarcomatous component (homologous vs heterologous) was performed.

Results Forty-six women were evaluated—21 in group A and 25 in group B. At a median follow-up of 30 months, the median progression-free survival was 11.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.3–16.9) and 16.6 months (95% CI, 14.7–18.5) for group A and B, respectively (P = 0.20). The median overall survival was 17.1 months (95% CI, 12.6–21.5) and 35.1 months (95% CI, 26.3–43.7) for group A and B, respectively (P = 0.14). No differences were identified among heterologous or homologous components according to chemotherapy treatment. Toxicity profiles widely differ between treatment arms.

Conclusions Because of the super imposable activity and the better toxicity profile, carboplatin-paclitaxel may be a suitable alternative to cisplatin-ifosfamide in the treatment of uterine CS.