Chemotherapy of ovarian cancer: state of the art]

Epithelial ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed at advanced-stage disease and chemotherapy is nearly always required. Optimally debulked patients may need adjuvant chemotherapy while, most of the time this chemotherapy will be given to those with advanced-stage disease. Also relapses will be treated differently whether they occur early or late in the course of the disease. This paper reviews medical treatment modalities according to stage based on published data. Maintenance and consolidation treatments are also discussed. Finally a brief insight into new therapeutic tools is also given.