Stage III ovarian carcinoma: treatment and results. Comparison of multiple drugs, a single drug, and irradiation.

Multiple drugs, a single drug, and irradiation were compared in patients with Stage III ovarian carcinoma. The results were categorized as “favorable” [pelvic mass less than 8 cm and/or upper abdominal tumor nodule(s) less than 2 cm] or “unfavorable” (more massive disease). A total of 62 patients are reviewed, of whom 25 had irradiation and 37 had chemotherapy. It was found that patients with slight residual disease after celiotomy did equally well with either irradiation or chemotherapy, but survival was improved using a combination of both. Use of 5 drugs did not significantly improve survival beyond that obtained with a single drug.