Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Moderator: Prof Rose J. Kosgei

Speakers & Topics:

• Prof Omenge Orang’o: Management of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
• Dr Peter Oyiro: PARP Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer
• Dr Charles Muteshi: Fertility Preservation in Ovarian Cancer

Epidemiology and Diagnosis (Prof. Omenge Oran’go)

– Ovarian cancer remains a significant cause of cancer mortality among women due to its asymptomatic nature in early stages.
– Kenya sees many cases diagnosed at advanced stages (III/IV), primarily due to non-specific symptoms and lack of screening.
– Important to understand pelvic anatomy and tumor spread patterns for accurate diagnosis and surgical planning.

Fertility Preservation in Ovarian Cancer (Dr. Charles Muteshi)

– Fertility-sparing surgery should be considered in selected early-stage epithelial ovarian cancers (Stage I).
– Discussion on embryo/oocyte cryopreservation for patients undergoing gonadotoxic treatment.
– Emphasized need for multidisciplinary counseling and prompt fertility consultations to ensure oncologic safety and reproductive potential.

Role of PARP Inhibitors (Dr. Peter Oyiro)

– PARP inhibitors like Olaparib offer significant benefits in BRCA-mutated and homologous recombination-deficient (HRD) ovarian cancers.
– SOLO-1 and SOLO-2 studies demonstrated prolonged progression-free survival and delayed recurrence in both frontline and maintenance settings.
– 7-year follow-up data show sustained benefit, with over 48% progression-free survival in Olaparib arms.
– Low incidence of serious adverse events, with anemia, fatigue, and nausea as the most common.
– Highlighted integration into Kenya Cancer Treatment Guidelines and importance of HRD testing.