Objective We described progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with primary mucinous ovarian cancer receiving adjuvant gynecologic versus gastrointestinal chemotherapy regimens.

Methods We identified all primary mucinous ovarian cancer patients receiving adjuvant gynecologic or gastrointestinal chemotherapy regimens at a single institution from 1994 to 2016. Gynecologic pathologists using strict pathologic/clinical criteria determined diagnosis. Adjuvant therapy was coded as gynecologic or gastrointestinal based on standard agents and schedules. Clinical/pathologic/treatment characteristics were recorded. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for continuous variables, and Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. Progression-free and overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, applying landmark analysis.

Results Of 62 patients identified, 21 received adjuvant chemotherapy: 12 gynecologic, 9 gastrointestinal. Median age (in years) at diagnosis: 58 (range 25–68) gynecologic cohort, 38 (range 32–68) gastrointestinal cohort (p=0.13). Median body mass index at first post-operative visit: 25 kg/m² (range 18–31) gynecologic cohort, 23 kg/m² (range 18–31) gastrointestinal cohort (p=0.23). History of smoking: 6/12 (50%) gynecologic cohort, 3/9 (33%) gastrointestinal cohort (p=0.66). Stage distribution in gynecologic and gastrointestinal cohorts, respectively: stage I: 9/12 (75%) and 3/9 (33%); stage II: 2/12 (17%) and 1/9 (11%); stage III: 1/12 (8%) and 5/9 (56%) (p=0.06). Grade distribution in gynecologic and gastrointestinal cohorts, respectively: grade 1: 8/12 (67%) and 1/9 (13%); grade 2/3: 4/12 (33%) and 7/9 (88%) (p=0.03). Three-year progression-free survival: 90.9% (95% CI 50.8% to 98.7 %) gynecologic, 53.3% (95% CI 17.7% to 79.6%) gastrointestinal. Three-year overall survival: 90.9% (95% CI 50.8% to 98.7%) gynecologic, 76.2% (95% CI 33.2% to 93.5%) gastrointestinal.

Conclusion Ongoing international collaborative research may further define associations between chemotherapy regimens and survival.