Second-line treatment of ovarian cancer.

Patients with epithelial ovarian cancer are often diagnosed with advanced-stage disease. Although clinical complete remissions are obtained in the majority of patients through a combination of cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy, relapse is common. A number of agents with diverse biologic mechanisms have been identified with activity in the setting of recurrent disease. Strategies for management of patients with recurrent disease, including classification, treatment goals, and therapeutic options will be reviewed.