Dr. Salani on the Progression of Upfront Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Ritu Salani, MD, gynecologic oncologist, associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, director, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, discusses the progression of upfront ovarian cancer treatment.

The evolution of upfront chemotherapy has been complicated in ovarian cancer, explains Salani. In the 1990s, carboplatin with paclitaxel was used. The same regimen is used today with some tweaks in the routine and schedule in which the treatment is given.

For example, now there are methods to provide better supportive care to minimize toxicities. There is better patient selection for chemotherapy versus primary debulking surgery in the upfront management of ovarian cancer, says Salani.

In addition to strong progress in upfront therapy, significant strides have been made in maintenance therapy for patients with ovarian cancer, Salani concludes.