1 Guidance

This guidance replaces 'Ovarian cancer – taxanes' (NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance No 3) issued in May 2000.

This guidance has been partially updated by 'Paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride and topotecan for second-line or subsequent treatment of advanced ovarian cancer (review)' (NICE technology appraisal guidance 91 [TA91]). The recommendations that have been updated are indicated in section 1 below.

1.1 It is recommended that paclitaxel in combination with a platinum-based compound or platinum-based therapy alone (cisplatin or carboplatin) are offered as alternatives for first-line chemotherapy (usually following surgery) in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

1.2 The choice of treatment for first-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer should be made after discussion between the responsible clinician and the patient about the risks and benefits of the options available. In choosing between treatment with a platinum-based compound alone or paclitaxel in combination with a platinum-based compound, this discussion should cover the side-effect profiles of the alternative therapies, the stage of the woman's disease, the extent of surgical treatment of the tumour, and disease-related performance status.

Recommendations 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 have been updated and replaced by NICE technology appraisal guidance 91.