Ovarian cancer

SummaryOver 6000 cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the UK every year. Most women present with advanced disease. The overall 5-year survival is 26%. Only 5–10% of cases are hereditary and genetic testing can be offered in high-risk families. Screening with CA125 and transvaginal ultrasonography in the general population is currently being investigated in the UKCTOCS study. The treatment of ovarian cancer depends on the stage of disease. Suspected cases should be managed by a multidisciplinary team. Optimal staging and cytoreductive surgery should be performed by a gynaecological oncologist. In advanced disease adjuvant chemotherapy with platinum and paclitaxel is the treatment of choice. New approaches to the treatment of ovarian cancer include fertility sparing surgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by debulking surgery, and intraperitoneal chemotherapy.