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Treatment approaches for advanced ovarian cancer should consider several factors. Among the most important are platinum sensitivity, the status of BRCA and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), and the changing indications for PARP inhibitors in recurrent disease and maintenance. PARP inhibitors have demonstrated clear benefit in patients with BRCA mutated tumors, especially in the first-line setting, and HRD testing can guide their use for patients without BRCA mutations. A new antibody–drug conjugate, mirvetuximab soravtansine, has been approved for use in a subset of patients with platinum-resistant disease. Newly diagnosed patients with advanced-stage ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancers should always be evaluated by a gynecologic oncologist if possible.

Ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of death among women with gynecologic malignancies, and the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality in women in the United States. Although many patients respond to first-line platinum-based therapy, most will experience disease recurrence. The role of further therapy in the setting of recurrent ovarian cancer is palliative, and large randomized phase III trials on treatment options for recurrent ovarian cancer are rare. Controversies exist as to the optimal timing and duration of treatment, and many issues regarding treatment of recurrent disease remain.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in the United States, with less than half of patients living >5 years following diagnosis. The NCCN Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer provide recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up for patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel discussion behind recent important updates to the guidelines, including revised guidance on alternative chemotherapy regimens for patients with advanced age and/or comorbidities, a new algorithm for recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma based on developing research and novel therapeutic agents, and updated language regarding tumor molecular analysis applications in ovarian cancer.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in the United States, with less than half of patients living >5 years from diagnosis. A major challenge in treating ovarian cancer is that most patients have advanced disease at initial diagnosis. The best outcomes are observed in patients whose primary treatment includes complete resection of all visible disease plus combination platinum-based chemotherapy. Research efforts are focused on primary neoadjuvant treatments that may improve resectability, as well as systemic therapies providing improved long-term survival. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates to neoadjuvant chemotherapy recommendations, including the addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and the role of PARP inhibitors and bevacizumab as maintenance therapy options in select patients who have completed primary chemotherapy.

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.