ABSTRACT

In the USA, ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death among women, and the most common cause of death among women with gynecologic malignancies.1

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that there will be 22 430 new cases of ovarian cancer and 15 280 deaths during 2007.1

Seventy percent of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease, and approximately 60% of them will die within 5 years.2 Also, at least 60% of advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients who are without any evidence of disease after completing primary therapy will ultimately develop recurrent disease.3