Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer

Published online August 8, 2016, DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2016.68.6907

Alexi A. Wright, Kari Bohlke, Deborah K. Armstrong, Michael A. Bookman,William A. Cliby, Robert L. Coleman, Don S. Dizon, Joseph J. Kash, Larissa A. Meyer, Kathleen N. Moore, Alexander B. Olawaiye, Jessica Oldham, Ritu Salani, Dee Sparacio, William P. Tew, Ignace Vergote, and Mitchell I. Edelson

Purpose

Methods

Results

Four phase III clinical trials form the primary evidence base for the recommendations. The published studies suggest that for selected women with stage IIIC or IV epithelial ovarian cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval cytoreduction are noninferior to primary cytoreduction and adjuvant chemotherapy with respect to overall and progression-free survival and are associated with less perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Recommendations

All women with suspected stage IIIC or IV invasive epithelial ovarian cancer should be evaluated by a gynecologic oncologist prior to initiation of therapy. The primary clinical evaluation should include a CT of the abdomen and pelvis, and chest imaging (CT preferred). Women with a high perioperative risk profile or a low likelihood of achieving cytoreduction to < 1 cm of residual disease (ideally to no visible disease) should receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Women who are fit for primary cytoreductive surgery, and with potentially resectable disease, may receive either neoadjuvant chemotherapy or primary cytoreductive surgery. However, primary cytoreductive surgery is preferred if there is a high likelihood of achieving cytoreduction to < 1 cm (ideally to no visible disease) with acceptable morbidity. Before neoadjuvant chemotherapy is delivered, all patients should have confirmation of an invasive ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer.

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