DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed stage IC-IV ovarian epithelial cancer IC must have malignant cells in ascitic fluid or peritoneal washing, have tumor on surface of the ovary, or have preoperative capsule rupture OR Peritoneal carcinomatosis (ovarian-type) No evidence of primary fallopian tube carcinoma No mixed mesodermal tumors No borderline ovarian tumors or tumors termed possibly malignant