Ovarian cancer (advanced): bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin for first-line treatment

What is ovarian cancer?

The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system and are found in the abdomen. The term 'ovarian cancer' includes cancer occurring in the tissue of the ovaries, in the tubes leading from the ovaries to the womb (the fallopian tubes) or in the membrane that lines the inside of the abdomen (primary peritoneal cancer). If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it is known as advanced. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women in England and Wales.

Women who have advanced ovarian cancer usually have surgery to remove as much of the tumour or tumours as possible and then have chemotherapy. The chemotherapy is usually with drugs called carboplatin and paclitaxel. Sometimes chemotherapy is used to shrink tumours before surgery, but mostly it is used after surgery.