If there is residual cancer greater than 3/4 in. (2 cm) in diameter, intravenous chemotherapy is used exclusively. There are several commonly used combinations—CT (cisplatin + Taxol), CP (Cytoxan + cisplatin or Cytoxan + carboplatin), CAP (Cytoxan + Adriamycin + cisplatin), AP ( Adriamycin + cisplatin) and CHAD (Cytoxan + hexamethylmelamine + Adriamycin + cisplatin).
Investigational
• One-time intra-abdominal administration of radioactive phosphate versus six cycles of intravenous cisplatin +
Cytoxan.
• Intra-abdominal carboplatin, cisplatin or etoposide with or without other anticancer drugs.
Stages IIb, IIc, IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IV
Standard Treatment In women with advanced ovarian carcinoma , standard therapy involves removing as much of the tumor as possible as well as the uterus , both fallopian tubes and ovaries and the omentum. Biopsies from the pelvic and para-aortic nodes are also performed.
If there is optimal residual disease after surgery—no tumor implant greater than 3/4 in. (2 cm) in diameter—combination chemotherapy including cisplatin + Taxol (CT) and cisplatin or carboplatin + Cytoxan is given for six cycles (one course every three weeks).
