Paclitaxel in the treatment of patients with angiosarcoma of the scalp or face. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Angiosarcomas are rare tumors. Based on a complete response observed in a patient with angiosarcoma of the scalp treated with paclitaxel in a Phase II trial, the authors treated a cohort of patients with angiosarcoma of the scalp or face with paclitaxel as single agent. METHODS: The authors identified nine patients with angiosarcoma of the scalp or face treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center with paclitaxel between January 1992 and December 1998. Various paclitaxel schedules were used over 1, 3, and 24 hours. RESULTS: Of the 9 patients, 8 had major responses (4 partial responses and 4 clinical complete responses) and 1 had a minor response, for a major response rate of 89%. The median duration of response was 5 months (range, 2-13 months). Neutropenia and peripheral neuropathy were the most frequent dose-limiting toxicities. No deaths were attributed to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel as a single agent has substantial activity against angiosarcoma of the scalp or face, even in patients previously treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Further investigation is warranted to define the optimal treatment dose and schedule.

publication date

  • November 15, 1999

Research

keywords

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Facial Neoplasms
  • Hemangiosarcoma
  • Paclitaxel
  • Skin Neoplasms

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0033571557

PubMed ID

  • 10570428

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 86

issue

  • 10