The optimal management of MBO in patients with ovarian cancer has not been defined by proper prospective randomized control trials evaluating the impact of defined multidisciplinary treatment arms (surgical, chemotherapeutic, supportive care approaches) on important clinical outcomes including resolution of bowel obstruction, survival endpoints and validated quality of life outcomes. In order to improve patient outcomes, we must define which patients will benefit from palliative surgery, which patients are appropriate candidates for chemotherapy and which patients will benefit most from best supportive care. This study will determine the safety, feasibility of chemotherapy and BSC in patients with advanced ovarian cancer presenting with MBO who are initially deemed non-surgical candidates and will identify the impact of chemotherapy and BSC on quality of life and resolution of bowel obstruction, in preparation for future prospective randomized studies to determine the optimal management of MBO.
The best way to treat MBO in patients with ovarian cancer has not been studied enough by trials that assess how more than one treatment arm (surgical, chemotherapeutic, supportive care approaches) affects clinical outcomes like resolution of bowel obstruction, survival, and quality of life. To improve patient outcomes, we must assess which patients will do better with palliative surgery, chemotherapy, or best supportive care. This study will gather safety information, and how reasonable it is to give chemotherapy and BSC to patients with advanced ovarian cancer and MBO who are non-surgical candidates. This study will also look into the effects of chemotherapy and BSC on the quality of life and resolution of bowel obstruction, in hopes to perform future studies that lead to the best management of MBO.