OVARIAN-CANCER - CURRENT OUTLOOK ON THIS DEADLY DISEASE

The lifetime risk of ovarian cancer in the US population is about 1.4% . The risk is increased in women who have a strong family history of t he disease. Unfortunately no accurate screening tests are available. T ransvaginal sonography and CA-125 determinations can be valuable in se lected patients. Attempts at prevention with oral contraceptive use an d indicated or proyhylactic ooyhorectomy should be seriously considere d. Conservative treatment is appropriate in selected patients with ear ly-stage ovarian cancer. However, because the majority of patients pre sent with advanced disease, maximum cytoreductive surgery followed by chemotherapy is usually required. Such an approach results in a high i ncidence of initial clinical remission and can prolong survival to 2 o r 3 years. Eventually, however, relapse and death often occur in spite of additional therapy. Another operation may be needed for secondary cytoreduction or palliation. Bowel obstruction, recurrent ascites, and pleural effusion are often terminal events.