Treatment Results of Methotrexate and Folinic Acid as Primary Chemotherapy for Nonmetastatic Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia
Jatupol Srisomboon, MD*, Prapaporn Suprasert, MD*, Chailert Phongnarisorn, MD*, Kittipat Charoenkwan, MD*, Sitthicha Siriaree, MD*, Chalong Cheewakriangkrai, MD*, Charuwan Tantipalakorn, MD*, Chumnan Kietpeerakool, MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Objective : To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate and folinic acid (MTX-FA) chemotherapy in
patients with nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (NMGTN)
Materials and Methods : Between 1997 and 2003, a total of 67 patients with NMGTN received treatment at the
Chiang Mai University Hospital. Of the 67 patients, 55 were initially treated with methotrexate 1.0 mg/kg
intramuscularly (IM) on day 1,3,5, and 7 and folinic acid 0.1 mg/kg IM on day 2,4,6 and 8. Treatment courses
were repeated every 14 days. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were analyzed.
Results : All 55 patients with NMGTN were cured. Of the 55 patients initially treated with MTX-FA, 49 (89%)
achieved complete remission. Six (11%) patients developed methotrexate resistance, 3 were cured with
actinomycin D, 1 were cured with 5-fluorouracil followed by etoposide, 2 required hystertectomy to attain
remission. No serious toxicity was noted.
Conclusion : Methotrexate and folinic acid chemotherapy is highly effective and well-tolerated in treating
patients with nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.
Keywords : Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, Choriocarcinoma, Methotrexate, Chemotherapy
