Long-Term Tumor-Free Survival in a Patient with Stage IV Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Undergoing High-Dose Chemotherapy and Viscum album Extract Treatment: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has a poor prognosis in advanced stages. High-dose chemotherapy (HDC) was pursued in the 1990s but was not found to improve survival of patients with EOC in larger studies. Many patients with cancer use Viscum album extracts (VAE). Also called European mistletoe, Viscum album can lead to improved quality of life and reduced chemotherapy side effects and may have synergistic cytotoxic and proliferation-inhibiting effects when used together with chemotherapy.

Case Presentation

A high-grade serous epithelial ovarian carcinoma with peritoneal, adrenal, and hepatic metastases (FIGO Stage IV) was diagnosed in a 50-year-old premenopausal woman. Tumor and metastases were surgically removed in cytoreductive surgery, and the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy, without experiencing side effects from treatment. After a second-look surgery revealed lymph node metastases, HDC and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were performed. Additionally, the patient opted for treatment with VAE, which she continuously received. The patient remained tumor-free in follow-up examinations and has enjoyed good health for 20 years after initial diagnosis.

Discussion

Treatment with VAE in this case might have contributed to the reduction of side effects from HDC and may have acted synergistically with HDC in tumor control. Cases of VAE in EOC should be carefully documented and reported to further illustrate the influence of VAE on this cancer presentation.

CITATION: Werthmann, P. G., Kempenich, R., & Kienle, G. S. (2019). Long-Term Tumor-Free Survival in a Patient with Stage IV Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Undergoing High-Dose Chemotherapy and Viscum album Extract Treatment: A Case Report. The Permanente Journal, 23(1), 18–025. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-025