[Cancer of the ovary]

Cancer of the ovary is a fairly rare tumor with a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis, precise clinical staging and aggressive therapy are of the greatest importance. Cytological study of cells obtained by puncture of the space of Douglas, echotomography and tomo-densitometry are of diagnostic importance. The real problem is to define the indications for laparoscopy, and more important, an exploratory laparotomy. The treatment is essentially surgical; it allows for diagnosis (biopsy), defines the extent of the disease and removes the lesion "in toto" or most of it if not completely resectable. Postoperative adjuvant therapy is almost always necessary; radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone or a combination of both. A trail of the OERTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer) tries to evaluate different treatment modalities. In cases of limited disease a comparison is being made between chemo- and radiotherapy; in extensive disease the relative value of polychemotherapy versus mono-chemotherapy is studied.