Ovarian Cancer, Version 2.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

TLDR

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecologic cancers in the United States, is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, and NCCN guidelines cover treatment for common and rare ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers. This manuscript focuses on primary treatment aspects—including surgery, adjuvant therapy, and maintenance options such as PARP inhibitors—after completion of first‑line chemotherapy.

Abstract

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in the United States and is the country’s fifth most common cause of cancer mortality in women. A major challenge in treating ovarian cancer is that most patients have advanced disease at initial diagnosis. These NCCN Guidelines discuss cancers originating in the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum, as these are all managed in a similar manner. Most of the recommendations are based on data from patients with the most common subtypes─high-grade serous and grade 2/3 endometrioid. The NCCN Guidelines also include recommendations specifically for patients with less common ovarian cancers, which in the guidelines include the following: carcinosarcoma, clear cell carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, low-grade serous, grade 1 endometrioid, borderline epithelial, malignant sex cord-stromal, and malignant germ cell tumors. This manuscript focuses on certain aspects of primary treatment, including primary surgery, adjuvant therapy, and maintenance therapy options (including PARP inhibitors) after completion of first-line chemotherapy.