Introduction/Background*The role of palliative chemotherapy in treating advanced ovarian cancer remains unclear. Some evidence suggests that chemotherapy has a role in relieving symptoms in advanced ovarian cancer. This study aims to explore the reasons why patients were managed by palliative chemotherapy or no treatment. Moreover, to evaluate the effectiveness of palliative chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer.

Methodology A retrospective study was conducted in the University Hospitals of Leicester from January 2015 to January 2020 involving 54 patients with advanced ovarian cancer: 34 patients received palliative chemotherapy and 20 patients had no treatment. Data was statistically analysed, and the overall survivals were calculated from Kaplan Meier Curves.

Result(s)*In patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy, 27 (79.4%) were not suitable for debulking surgery, 4 (11.8%) died before surgery, 3 (8.8%) patients declined surgery. Twenty patients had no treatment: 13 (65%) died before chemotherapy and 5 (25%) were not fit for any treatment, 1 (5%) patient died before surgery and 1 (5%) patient declined surgery.

The 12- and 18-months overall survival in patient who had chemotherapy were 55.9% and 38.2% respectively, while it was 5% and 0% in those not having any treatment. The overall survival rates were significantly higher in the patients receiving palliative chemotherapy (p<0.001).

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Abstract 998 Figure 1

Kaplan-Meier survival curve for overall survival with groups

Conclusion*Palliative chemotherapy increases the overall survival in advanced ovarian cancer patients, but the cost of treatment and the effect on quality of life should be balanced to meet the patients’ expectations.