大多数卵巢癌患者(70%-80%)经过一线治疗后(减瘤术加术后化疗)可以获得临床完全缓解。当肿瘤复发时,最重要的预后因素是一线治疗结束至复发之间的无治疗间期。铂类耐药或难治性卵巢癌患者的总体预后差,因为她们对二线化疗药物的反应率约为15%-20%。[92]Maxwell GL, Synan I, Dodge R, et al. Pneumatic compression versus low molecular weight heparin in gynecologic oncology surgery: a randomized trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2001;98:989-995.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11755543?tool=bestpractice.com[64]Markman M, Bundy BM, Alberts DS, et al. Phase III trial of standard dose intravenous carboplatin plus paclitaxel versus moderately high dose carboplatin followed by intravenous paclitaxel and intraperitoneal cisplatin in small volume stage III ovarian carcinoma: an intergroup study of the Gynecologic Oncology Group, Southwestern Oncology Group, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. J Clin Oncol. 2001;19:1001-1007.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11181662?tool=bestpractice.com[93]Rose PG, Blessing JA, Mayer AR, et al. Prolonged oral etoposide as second-line therapy for platinum resistant and platinum sensitive ovarian carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study. J Clin Oncol. 1998;16:405-410.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9469322?tool=bestpractice.com对于对铂类敏感的复发性卵巢癌患者,对二线化疗药物的反应率随着无治疗间期的延长而增加。