Primary surgical management of ovarian cancer

In the United States, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of female cancer death behind lung, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. It is estimated that 14,500 women in the United States will die of ovarian cancer in 1999 (1). Epithelial ovarian carcinoma accounts for 90% of all ovarian cancers and an even greater percentage of ovarian cancer mortality (2). In this chapter, we will review the role of primary surgery in the management of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. A brief discussion of interval cytoreduction is also included.