Strategies to Improve Treatment - Stage I Ovarian Cancer

This content has been reviewed and approved by

Maurie Markman, MD
Vice President, Clinical Research
MD Anderson Cancer Center
University of Texas

The progress that has been made in the treatment of ovarian cancer has resulted from improved development of adjuvant chemotherapy treatments (treatment given after surgery to try to prevent the cancer from coming back) and doctor and patient participation in clinical studies. Future progress in the treatment of ovarian cancer will result from continued participation in appropriate studies. Currently, there are several areas of active exploration aimed at improving the treatment of stage I ovarian cancer.

• Supportive care - Supportive care refers to treatments designed to prevent and control the side effects of cancer and its treatment. Side effects not only cause discomfort, but also may prevent the optimal delivery of therapy at its planned dose and schedule. In order to achieve optimal outcomes from treatment and improve quality of life, it is imperative that side effects resulting from cancer and its treatment are appropriately managed.
• Refinement of treatment regimens - Taxol^® (paclitaxel) can be administered to patients using a variety of differing doses and schedules. Taxol has usually been administered in the hospital over a course of 24 hours. It is now often given over 3-or 1-hour infusions on an outpatient basis. Determining the optimal schedule and dose for paclitaxel administration is still an active area of investigation. The addition of more drugs and numbers of cycles of therapies are also under investigation.  Patients should discuss the potential risks and benefits of these regimens with their doctor.
• Evaluation of adjuvant chemotherapy - Some, but not all, clinical trials have demonstrated improved survival with adjuvant chemotherapy treatment in patients with stage I ovarian cancer. Clinical trials are currently ongoing to compare modern adjuvant chemotherapy treatment regimens to no additional therapy in women with low-risk stage I ovarian cancer.