ADVANCED EPITHELIAL OVARIAN-CANCER - 1993 CONSENSUS STATEMENTS

Background: Over the last few days of a 5-day international workshop h eld in June 1993, a group of specialists in the field of advanced epit helial ovarian cancer tried to reach consensus on a number of issues w ith implications for standard practice and for research. Methods: Five groups of experts considered several issues which included: biologic factors, prognostic factors, surgery, management recommendations, dose intensity, supportive care, drug resistance, second-line treatment, i nvestigational drugs, and tumour markers. Discussing the management re commendations, the group attempted to arrive at answers to four questi ons: Is there in fact a cure rate for advanced ovarlan carcinoma? Are there prognostic factors which help to identify patients who will not do well with current therapy? What is the current best therapy for adv anced ovarian cancer? What directions should research take in advanced ovarian cancer? In a plenary meeting these issues were discussed. Res ults: Consensus statements were achieved on all topics mentioned above . This article reports on the statements written by the chairmen and a pproved by the consensus group.