Results of postoperative megavoltage radiotherapy of malignant surface epithelial tumors of the ovary

The results of postoperative radiotherapy in 151 patients with malignant epithelial tumors of the ovary are presented. Actuarial survival at five years for patients in FIGO Stage I was 76%; in Stage II, 56%; Stage III, 16%; and Stage IV, 0%. Survival also varied with histopathological type, the best prognoses occuring in the serous (malignant) and endometrioid types (NED survival of 35% and 50%, totalling all stages, respectively). The presence of ascites or intraperitoneal surgical spillage did not adversely affect survival. The role of lymphangiography in staging is discussed. New approaches to diagnosis, staging and treatment are required for improving the prognosis of patients with ovarian carcinoma.