What is the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the management of ovarian cancer?
Schwartz, P.E.
Oncology 22(10): 1118-1125; Discussion 1130 1132, 1134
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0890-9091 PMID: 18935925 Document Number: 615388
Aggressive cytoreductive surgery followed by aggressive chemotherapy is the standard of care for advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients, among whom the greatest survival benefit is seen in those with no gross disease left after the initial surgical cytoreduction. Since this represents only 23% of stage III patients and 8% of stage IV patients, alternative strategies for patients who do not appear to be surgically cytoreducible to no macroscopic residual disease need to be identified. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which may offer a variety of benefits in this population, is one such strategy that is being evaluated in prospective randomized trials. This article reviews the current status of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the management of women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer.