Chemotherapy for newly diagnosed and relapsed advanced ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To review chemotherapy options for patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed advanced ovarian cancer.


METHODS
Published literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary chemotherapy for newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer consisting of a platinum compound and a taxane is commonly associated with myelosuppression, nausea/vomiting, alopecia, and sensory/motor neuropathy. For recurrent disease, numerous chemotherapy agents are effective, including rechallenging the patient with a platinum and/or a taxane or using newer agents such as pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, topotecan, and gemcitabine. In platinum-resistant disease, selection is based mainly on the toxicity profile, because palliation and quality of life are important.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology nurses play a valuable role in ovarian cancer care by proactively meeting patient information needs.
Rose
Peter G
PG
MetroHealth Medical Center, Cancer Care Pavilion, Room 2017, 2500 MetroHealth Dr, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA.
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds