Epithelial ovarian cancer: the role of radiotherapy

Although several studies during the last 10-15 years have served to clarify the role of postoperative external beam radiotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer, the subject remains controversial. This paper will review the following topics: 1. Stage I Ovarian Cancer. 2. The rationale for selecting whole abdominopelvic radiotherapy over other forms of radiotherapy, such as pelvic or lower abdominal radiotherapy. 3. The choice of radiation technique. 4. The evidence that radiotherapy is curative in ovarian cancer. 5. The toxicity of abdominopelvic radiotherapy. 6. The criteria by which patients are selected for abdominopelvic radiotherapy. 7. Radiotherapy versus chemotherapy in early disease. 8. Consolidation radiotherapy after chemotherapy in advanced disease.