Retrospective comparison of chemotherapy-induced myelotoxicity in patients with ovarian cancer under and over 60 years of age.

We examined whether women aged 60 years or older with ovarian cancer who were treated with surgery and postoperative chemotherapy are at higher risk of developing grade 4 hematological toxicity. Seventy-five patients were included: 34 patients aged < 60 years (group I) were compared with 41 patients aged > or =60 years (group II) after postoperative treatment with single-agent carboplatin or carboplatin/taxane combination chemotherapy. Secondary prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factors was performed to avoid dose reduction and chemotherapy delay. A total of 450 chemotherapy cycles was completed. Anemia and thrombocytopenia were mild in both groups. Overall, grade 4 neutropenia developed in 41% (group I) and in 49% (group II) (p=0.51). Febrile neutropenia occurred in 12% and 2%, respectively (p=0.17). The carboplatin/taxane combination was associated with grade 4 neutropenia in 42% (group I) and 58% (group II) (p=0.21). Women > or =60 years are not at higher risk of developing severe myelotoxicity than their younger counterparts, particularly after treatment with carboplatin/taxane combination chemotherapy.