Chapters authored
Recurrent Ovarian Cancer — Basic Knowledge, Current Management, and Future Directions
Recurrent ovarian cancer is incurable. Chemotherapy is indicated to control disease-related symptoms. The benefit from chemotherapy in these patients depends on the platinum-free interval. Patients with platinum-resistant disease (a relapse of less than six months from the completion of platinum treatment) are managed with non-platinum agents. Patients with platinum semi-sensitive relapse (six to 12 months from the completion of treatment) have a response rate of 30% to second-line platinum treatment. In patients with platinum-sensitive relapse (more than 12 months from the completion of treatment), the response rate to platinum is 60–70%. Limited data is available regarding the benefits of secondary cytoreductive surgery. GOG 213 and the AGO Desktop III studies will define the role of this procedure in patients with recurrent disease. Two studies have shown benefit of bevacizumab in the treatment of patients with platinum-sensitive (Oceans) and refractory disease (Aurelia). Additional studies are needed to establish the optimal duration and timing of treatment. Cediranib has shown activity in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer (ICON 6 trial). Numerous novel biological agents are being investigated in relapsed ovarian cancer. This chapter focuses on current management and future directions in patients with relapsed ovarian cancer.
Part of the book: Gynecologic Cancers