A rational approach to carcinoma of the ovary

Carcinoma of the ovary is the leading cause of death from pelvic gynecologic malignancies in the United States. Factors which may reduce mortality from ovarian cancer include (1) emphasis on early diagnosis by awareness of neoplastic possibility and by an aggressive approach to persistent ovarian enlargement, (2) concentration upon the common epithelial tumors as the primary cause of ovarian cancer, (3) specific histologic classification and staging of the tumors as a guide to clinical management, (4) attention to certain principles of treatment, and (5) postoperative follow-up with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.