Adjuvant Therapy in Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer
Introduction
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. The majority of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with advanced disease, which is associated with a poor prognosis. However, for women with early-stage ovarian cancer, the prognosis is much better. Adjuvant therapy is a type of treatment that is given after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence. There are two main types of adjuvant therapy: chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a type of drug treatment that uses cytotoxic drugs to kill cancer cells. Adjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is typically given in cycles, with each cycle lasting for several weeks. The most common type of adjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is paclitaxel plus carboplatin. This combination has been shown to improve survival compared to surgery alone.
Controversy Regarding Stage I
The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in surgically staged stage I clear cell ovarian cancer (OCCC) is unclear. All randomized trials of adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage ovarian cancer have excluded patients with stage I OCCC. Therefore, the data on the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in this group of patients is limited.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Adjuvant radiation therapy for ovarian cancer is typically given after surgery to the pelvis and abdomen. Radiation therapy can be used in combination with chemotherapy or as a standalone treatment.
Conclusion
Adjuvant therapy is an important part of the treatment of early-stage ovarian cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy have both been shown to improve survival compared to surgery alone. The decision of whether or not to receive adjuvant therapy should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the patient's individual circumstances.
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