Ovarian Cancer

While surgical advances and new treatment approvals, including Lynparza and Avastin, have improved the outlook in ovarian cancer, late diagnosis and tumor resistance remain as significant barriers to major progress in treating the disease.

Pretreated patients with recurrent ovarian cancer had a 2.5-month progression-free survival benefit when receiving fosbretabulin plus Avastin compared with Avastin alone; however, hypertension rates doubled.

Treatment with Avastin plus chemotherapy resulted in an improvement in overall survival of nearly five months compared with chemotherapy alone for women with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.

Treatment with the immunotherapy Vigil delayed time to progression in all patients with stage 3/4 ovarian cancer who were treated with the autologous tumor cell vaccine compared with those who were not, according to an open-label phase 2 trial.

Oncologist Don Dizon explains the advantages of intraperitoneal therapy and why further research and education are necessary to bring it to the forefront of ovarian cancer treatment.

Recent advancements in the treatment of ovarian cancer, including surgical techniques, the approvals of Avastin and Lynparza, and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, have led the National Comprehensive Cancer Network to make changes to their clinical practice guidelines in its 20th annual edition.

When it comes to managing your risk of cancer, especially when dealing with a familial cancer risk, "what is right for one person, may not be right for another," says Amy Byer Shainman.

A second opinion can provide answers, ideas and perspective about whether a patient is on the right treatment path.

On the evolving role of PARP inhibitors in the treatment of ovarian cancer, Donna McNamara, co-chief of Gynecological Oncology at the John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC), discusses the impact of these studies and the outlook going forward.

There are some things known to increase the risk of gynecologic cancers. Bottom line, being a woman puts you at risk.

The Food and Drug Administration approves Lynparza (olaparib) for the treatment of women with BRCA-positive advanced ovarian cancer.

The FDA approves Avastin in combination with chemotherapy for patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer, based on results of the phase 3 AURELIA trial.

Biomarkers can estimate cancer risk, screen for the disease and confirm a diagnosis.

Patients should research both the surgeon and the technique when deciding on treatment.

The U.S. Supreme Court decides against patents on human genes.

Knowing your risk of a genetic cancer means looking to the past, living in the present and planning for the future.

Reasons for Hope: Options are available to keep disease at bay.

Vaccines help the immune system uncover malignant cells.

To tackle platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, a French research group added Avastin (bevacizumab) to standard chemotherapy.

Avastin appears to reduce relative risk of disease progression in recurring ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer survivor, Annette Leal Mattern, offers up advice on living with metastatic disease.

Researchers are looking for effective screening methods for ovarian cancer.

Advances in ovarian cancer gain ground.

The latest in cancer prevention, diagnosis & treatment

PARP inhibitors continue to look “promising.”

For those weighing whether to get their BRCA mutation status checked, the potential promise of the PARP inhibitors shouldn’t tip the balance—yet.

Researchers have developed a new screening approach that produces very few false positives in postmenopausal women with an average risk of ovarian cancer.

Continued use of the targeted drug Avastin (bevacizumab), after initial treatment with the drug and chemotherapy, helped slow progression of advanced ovarian cancer, according to a phase 3 study.

Updates from the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Treating an ovarian cancer relapse as soon as it can be detected seems like a good idea. But not so fast, a major study has concluded.