Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the second most common
genital malignancy in women and is the most lethal
gynecological malignancy, with an estimated five-year
survival rate of 39%. Despite efforts to develop an effective
ovarian cancer screening method, 60% of patients still
present with advanced disease. Comprehensive management
using surgical cytoreduction to decrease the tumor
load to a minimum, and intraperitoneal chemotherapy to
eliminate microscopic disease on peritoneal surface, has
the potential to greatly improve quality of life and to have
an impact on survival in ovarian cancer patients. Despite
achieving clinical remission after completion of initial treatment,
most patients (60%) with advanced EOC will ultimately
develop recurrent disease or show drug resistance;
the eventual rate of curability is less than 30%. Given the
poor outcome of women with advanced EOC, it is imperative
to continue to explore novel therapies.
