Occurrence of myelodysplastic syndrome during paclitaxel- and carboplatin-based chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer: Case report

Platinum and taxane have significant activity as key drugs in current treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. While myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute leukemia are well-known secondary disease after administration of chemotherapy, particularly with alkylating agents, they have only rarely been reported in the context of ovarian cancer treatment. In this case report a 59-year-old Japanese developed a MSD during ongoing second induction chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel for recurrent ovarian cancer. Her second induction began 9 months after completion of her first course of chemotherapy. Cytogenetic analyses showed typical chromosomal aberration. Although the finding of pancytopenia is also seen during chemotherapy without MSD/acute leukemia, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy should be considered to confirm the clinical suspicion of the lifethreatening disease when encountered persistent pancytopenia following carboplatinand paclitaxel-based chemotherapy in an ovarian cancer patient.