Therapeutic and metabolic effects of high (>1 g/m²) systemic cumulative doses of cis-platinum in patients with ovarian carcinoma

Adverse effects requiring discontinuation of cis-platinum therapy are usually noted after administration of 600 mg/m² cis-platinum. Metabolic and therapeutic effects of high (>1 g/m²) cumulative lifetime doses of cis-platinum were reviewed for 20 patients treated with multiple courses of chemotherapy for metastatic, recurrent ovarian carcinoma. Median survival in this selected group is 65 months. Common abnormalities included anemia, hypomagnesemia, and elevated renal functions. No patient required cessation of treatment because of metabolic changes and in no case did the abnormality compromise the patient's activities of daily living. We conclude that, in selected patients, repeated treatment, regardless of cumulative dose, with cis-platinum-based chemotherapy can be well tolerated and may be of therapeutic benefit.