Is there place for radiotherapy in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer?

Abstract

Irradiation of advanced ovarian cancer has been performed during the years 1976-1984 with six-field technique. Results of this treatment in a long follow-up have never before been evaluated. Seventy-five patients with stage IIb-IV of invasive ovarian cancer have been treated with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The results of the treatment were compared with 98 patients treated during the year 1991-1992 with surgery and chemotherapy only. After controlling for the differences in background factors between the groups considered, there was still a significantly better survival rate for the patients treated with radiotherapy. The results suggest that the role of radiotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer should be investigated in a prospective randomized trial.