Ovarian Cancer: The “Gynaecological Challenge” from Diagnostic Work-Up to Cytoreduction and Chemotherapy. Volume 1

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest gynaecological cancers. In most cases, it is detected as an advanced tumor, since early diagnosis is challenging for most forms of the disease. Surgery and platinum-based compounds have been the mainstay of therapy for many years. The prognosis for ovarian cancer depends on the type of surgery and on the response to chemotherapy. Other regimens have little effect if the disease does not respond to platinum. However, several new therapies are emerging including bevacizumab and PARP-inhibitors, among others. This book provides a detailed body of information important to an understanding of the clinical aspects and management of such a challenging disease. The authors strive to provide the physician with insights and illustrations as well as useful tips and tricks for the everyday clinical practice. Several world-known experts in the field participated in this fruitful effort offering their knowledge and everyday experience, as well as valuable and original photos from their personal archives as well as the most recent and up-to-date guidelines in the field. In this book, we evaluate all the challenging pathways from the moment of diagnosis to the surgical and medical therapies. The pathogenesis, the variation of the morphological types and the problems in differential diagnosis are also discussed. Moreover, we provide an overview of recent attempts to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer as well as a discussion of fertility sparing alternatives and minimal invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) approaches. All the new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that lay out the foundation for these improvements are presented. Areas of future research are also discussed, supported by a wealth of up-to-date referenced material. The book is written at a level appropriate for both medical students, physicians as well as gynaecological oncologists, pathologists, and medical oncologists.