Current strategies for prevention, detection, and treatment of ovarian cancer

To review the prevalence, etiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of ovarian cancer.

English-language journal articles retrieved from a MEDLINE search from 1990 to the present, and selected references retrieved from the bibliographies of those articles.

Clinical trials and pertinent review articles that discussed the detection, prevention, and clinical management of ovarian cancer.

Although relatively uncommon, ovarian cancer is the leading cause of mortality from gynecologic cancer. Because most ovarian cancers are not detected until the disease has metastasized beyond the ovary, the 5-year survival rate for all cases is only 50%. Pharmacists can educate women about strategies that can reduce ovarian cancer risk, especially the use of oral contraceptives. To aid in earlier detection, pharmacists also should be aware of the nonspecific symptoms that can be associated with the disease, and refer women with suggestive symptoms to their physicians for further evaluation. Treatment usually consists of hysterectomy with debulking surgery to remove as much tumor as possible, followed by chemotherapy, for which the current gold standard is cisplatin and paclitaxel.

Pharmacist-provided education can help women reduce their risk of ovarian cancer. As integral members of the health care team, pharmacists also can optimize the efficacy and tolerability of chemotherapeutic regimens; assist with palliative care for nausea, vomiting, and pain; and serve as a resource for patient information and support.