Trial on Radical Upfront Surgery in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

This study is looking for women aged 18 or older who have been recently diagnosed with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (stages IIIB-IV). Your doctor must believe that surgery can remove all or most of the cancer. You'll also need to be in generally good health, meaning you can carry out daily activities without too much difficulty.

There are some specific health requirements, for example, your blood, kidney, and liver test results need to be within certain ranges. Also, any nerve damage (neuropathy) you might have should be mild. You will also need to provide your written consent to join the study.

You won't be able to join if you have other types of ovarian cancer, if your cancer has come back, or if you've already had chemotherapy or radiation for ovarian cancer. Other reasons for not being able to join include having certain other cancers in the last five years, severe blood clotting problems, significant lung or liver spread that can't be operated on, or if you are pregnant.

If you decide to join this study, you'll first go through a screening process where doctors confirm you meet all the requirements. Once you're enrolled, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either surgery first, followed by chemotherapy, or chemotherapy first, then surgery, then more chemotherapy. This is decided by chance, like flipping a coin, so it's fair.

Both groups will have major surgery to remove the cancer. This surgery typically involves an incision in your tummy an may include removing your womb, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and any other parts of organs where cancer has spread. After surgery, or between chemotherapy cycles, you'll receive a standard course of chemotherapy, usually platinum and taxane-based drugs, given over 6 cycles.

Throughout the study, you'll have regular hospital visits for blood tests, physical exams, and scans (like CT scans) to monitor your health and how the treatment is working. The exact number of visits and their timing will depend on which group you're in and your treatment schedule. You'll continue to be followed by the study team after your main treatment is complete, to track your long-term health and any effects of the treatment.