Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Radiation Therapy

Abstract

Chemotherapy is the mainstay of recurrent OC treatment but prognosis remains very poor, and novel therapies are required to be integrated into this consolidated treatment regimen. Radiation therapy represents a valid alternative approach, even if no clear guidelines are available concerning it.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Oligometastatic Ovarian Cancer: A Step Toward a Drug Holiday

“…Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer. The role of radiotherapy (RT) remains controversial [1]. While whole abdominal irradiation (WART) is no longer considered a suitable adjuvant treatment due to unproven efficacy and relevant toxicity, indication to RT is mainly limited to the palliative setting.…”

Acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be linked with the decreased sensitivity to X-ray irradiation

“…At the same time, the radiation therapy utilizing X-ray irradiation for many decades remains an established method of choice for all the above mentioned cancer types, including neuroblastoma and ovarian cancer [ 10 , 11 ]. The dosage used typically varies between 40 and 60 Gy divided into daily fractions of 1.8–10 Gy depending on tumor size, metastases, invasiveness and possible side effects [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Long-Term Survival After Surgery and Radiotherapy for Recurrent or Persistent Ovarian and Tubal Cancer

“…These represented 8.7% of patients with these cancers who were managed during this time. Two patients were excluded because they received less than 45 Gy because of G4 myelotoxicity (1) and tumor progression during moving-strip RT (1). Those who received palliative RT were also excluded.…”

“…These included G3 small bowel obstruction (10) and G4 small bowel necrosis and perforation (1), rectovaginal fistula (1), and colovaginal fistula (1). Cancer was present in the abdomen at surgery in 10 (77%) patients, and there were 3 postoperative deaths.…”