Epithelial ovarian cancers probably derive in the case of the serous histotype from the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube. There is no screening for this disease, which might impact on the overall mortality rate. Therefore, it is crucial to identify patients with higher risk by taking a thorough family history and performing genetic counselling and testing. Diagnostic methods used are tumour marker CA-125, transvaginal ultrasound and CT imaging; however, neither alone nor in combination will these methods detect the disease earlier, even if performed in regular controls. A fixed pelvic mass on bimanual examination is a typical feature for pelvic disease, while extended abdomen and ascites is pathognomonic for peritoneal disease. The prognosis has improved over the years due to more radical debulking in advanced stages and improved adjuvant therapies.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is currently still treated with chemotherapy using carboplatin and paclitaxel in a 3-weekly regimen. Maintenance treatment is started, using targeted therapy with anti-VEGF bevacizumab or PARP inhibitor olaparib. In the recurrent setting the classical platinum-resistant or -sensitive cut-off has loosened and these days time to next subsequent treatment is increasingly used. New drugs are being investigated in ovarian cancer, mainly CDK4/5 inhibitors and checkpoint inhibitors.