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The role of radiotherapy in ovarian cancer
  1. Kimberley Durno and
  2. Melanie E Powell
  1. Clinical Oncology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Melanie E Powell, Clinical Oncology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London EC1A 7BE, UK; melanie.powell10{at}nhs.net

Abstract

Epithelial ovarian cancer accounts for around 1.9% of all malignancies and often presents late at an advanced stage. Prognosis is therefore poor. Currently the mainstay of treatment is radical cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy but, in the past, the standard of care also included adjuvant whole abdominal radiotherapy. This is no longer standard practice, largely due to high toxicity rates and the effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapy. Presently, a role is emerging for modern radiotherapy techniques in both the salvage and palliative settings. This review aims to examine the historical use of radiotherapy in ovarian cancer before looking forward to its potential future role.

  • ovarian cancer
  • radiation
  • quality of life (pro)/palliative care

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Footnotes

  • Twitter @DrMelaniePowell

  • Contributors KD and MP both researched and wrote this review.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; internally peer reviewed.