Ovarian cancer
Histological types and their markers, BRCA and Lynch, vague symptoms and the CA125 plus ultrasound work-up, why there is no screening, cytoreductive surgery with carboplatin-paclitaxel, PARP inhibitor maintenance and its PBS limits, and platinum sensitivity at relapse.
Tier 2Condition
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- The deadliest gynaecological cancer in Australia, with 5-year survival under 50%, because about 70% present at stage III or IV.
- Most are epithelial, and most of those are high-grade serous carcinoma arising from the fallopian tube.
- Symptoms are vague: bloating, early satiety, pelvic or abdominal pain, urinary frequency or urgency. Persistent new symptoms over 50 call for CA125 and pelvic ultrasound.
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Sources
- Optimal care pathway for people with ovarian cancer (2nd edition)AU/NZCancer Council Australia, 2nd edition
- eviQ Cancer Treatments Online (gynaecological protocols; BRCA1 and BRCA2 risk management)AU/NZCancer Institute NSW
- PBS Schedule: olaparib and niraparib for high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer (BRCA1/2, and genomic instability without BRCA1/2 mutation), checked November 2026AU/NZAustralian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026
- González-Martín A et al. Newly diagnosed and relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol 2023;34:833-48European Society for Medical Oncology, 2023
- González-Martín A, Ledermann JA. ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline Express Update on the management of epithelial ovarian cancer. ESMO Open 2026;11:106032European Society for Medical Oncology, 2026
- NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, Ovarian CancerNational Comprehensive Cancer Network
- Menon U et al. Ovarian cancer population screening and mortality after long-term follow-up in UKCTOCS. Lancet 2021;397:2182-93The Lancet, 2021
- Vergote I et al. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or primary surgery in stage IIIC or IV ovarian cancer (EORTC 55971). N Engl J Med 2010;363:943-53New England Journal of Medicine, 2010
- Moore K et al. Maintenance olaparib in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer (SOLO-1). N Engl J Med 2018;379:2495-505New England Journal of Medicine, 2018
- Rustin GJ et al. Early versus delayed treatment of relapsed ovarian cancer (MRC OV05/EORTC 55955). Lancet 2010;376:1155-63The Lancet, 2010
- Moore KN et al. Mirvetuximab soravtansine in FRα-positive, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (MIRASOL). N Engl J Med 2023;389:2162-74New England Journal of Medicine, 2023
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Turnstile bot check on sign-in and signed-out feedback