Ovarian cancer

This synthesis of the literature on radiotherapy for cancer originating in the ovaries is based on 74 scientific articles, including 12 randomized studies, 18 prospective studies, and 36 retrospective studies. These studies involve 6140 patients. Treatment for patients at early stages of ovarian cancer (stages I and II) is surgery. The value of adjuvant treatment, ie, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, is not demonstrated. Tumor volume is decisive to the success of radiotherapy. Microscopic or small macroscopic cancer residuals, remaining after surgery, may respond to radiotherapy, thereby promoting survival. The importance of radiotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer is controversial, and studies frequently show contradictory results. Two studies have shown the favorable role played by radiotherapy in consolidation treatment of patients if they become cancer-free at advanced stages. The role of radiotherapy in treating larger volumes of residual cancer has not been demonstrated, except for strictly palliative treatment.