Ovarian Cancer Treatment in China: PARP Inhibitors, Debulking Surgery, Carboplatin Chemotherapy, Bevacizumab, HRD Testing, BRCA Mutation Treatment, China-Developed Fuzuloparib and Senaparib, and MDT Consultation for International Patients and Caregivers Seeking Ovarian Cancer Care in China

Why China's Ovarian Cancer Caseload Matters

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecological malignancies in China, with incidence rising particularly in urban populations. At major cancer centres in Beijing, Shanghai, and other major cities, gynaecological oncology teams may evaluate hundreds of ovarian cancer cases annually — creating deep familiarity with the full range of presentations, including complex surgical cases, rare histological subtypes, and multi-line treatment sequencing after relapse.

One clinically relevant characteristic of ovarian cancer in China is the high proportion of BRCA1/2 mutations compared to some Western populations — particularly germline BRCA1 mutations, which are more prevalent in certain ethnic groups common in China. This has driven strong institutional experience with BRCA-targeted treatment strategies and PARP inhibitor programmes at leading Chinese oncology centres.

For international patients seeking a structured second opinion or MDT review of an ovarian cancer diagnosis or treatment plan, Chinese specialist teams have relevant experience across all treatment lines, disease stages, and histological subtypes — including high-grade serous, clear cell, mucinous, and endometrioid presentations.

Biomarker Profiling: The Foundation of Ovarian Cancer Treatment Decisions

Ovarian cancer treatment — particularly the use of PARP inhibitors — is determined by a tumour's molecular profile and biomarker status. At experienced Chinese cancer centres, standard testing at diagnosis typically includes:

Patients who have not previously undergone germline BRCA testing or HRD assessment may benefit from doing so as part of any second opinion or MDT review process — these results can meaningfully change treatment options available to them.

Cytoreductive Surgery: The Cornerstone of Ovarian Cancer Treatment

The goal of cytoreductive surgery — also called debulking surgery — is to remove as much tumour as possible. The extent of surgical debulking (measured by residual disease after surgery) significantly influences subsequent treatment outcomes. Complete resection to no visible residual disease (R0) is associated with better outcomes than surgery that leaves macroscopic residual tumour.

Chemotherapy: The Standard First-Line Systemic Treatment

Platinum-based chemotherapy combined with a taxane is the international standard first-line systemic treatment for ovarian cancer. This regimen has remained the backbone of ovarian cancer treatment for decades and is uniformly available at Chinese cancer centres.

PARP Inhibitors: Internationally Approved and China-Developed Agents

PARP inhibitors have transformed ovarian cancer maintenance treatment over the past decade. China offers access to all major internationally approved agents, plus two China-developed PARP inhibitors that have received NMPA approval and are clinically used in China — agents that are not available in most other countries.

Bevacizumab: Anti-VEGF Therapy in Ovarian Cancer

Bevacizumab (贝伐珠单抗) is an anti-VEGF antibody that inhibits tumour blood vessel formation. In ovarian cancer, bevacizumab has an established role in two settings — combined with first-line chemotherapy as initial treatment and continued as maintenance, and combined with chemotherapy at platinum-sensitive or platinum-resistant relapse.

Bevacizumab biosimilars are available in China, which can make anti-VEGF therapy more cost-accessible than originator bevacizumab alone. Chinese oncologists are experienced with bevacizumab use in ovarian cancer across both first-line and relapse settings.

Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: An Evolving Area

The role of immunotherapy — specifically PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors — in ovarian cancer is more limited than in some other cancer types and remains an active area of clinical investigation. Unlike lung cancer or melanoma, where immunotherapy has established major first-line roles, ovarian cancer has shown modest response to PD-1 blockade as a single agent.

MDT Evaluation and Second Opinion for Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer treatment decisions — particularly regarding PARP inhibitor sequencing, the role of bevacizumab, surgical candidacy, and the management of relapse — benefit from multidisciplinary specialist input. Major Chinese cancer centres conduct structured MDT case reviews bringing together gynaecological oncologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists, and imaging specialists.

An online MDT consultation for ovarian cancer patients can include:

• Review of pathology and biomarker results — confirming histological subtype, BRCA mutation status, and whether HRD testing has been performed
• Assessment of prior treatment history and identification of PARP inhibitor options not yet used
• Evaluation of whether a China-developed PARP inhibitor (fuzuloparib or senaparib) or clinical trial may be relevant
• Surgical feasibility assessment — whether cytoreductive surgery or secondary cytoreduction at relapse should be considered
• Practical logistics guidance if in-person assessment or treatment in China is being considered

Supportive Care During Ovarian Cancer Treatment in China

Major Chinese cancer centres integrate supportive care into active ovarian cancer treatment programmes. For patients undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, PARP inhibitors, or bevacizumab, supportive care addresses common challenges including fatigue, chemotherapy-induced nausea, peripheral neuropathy, bone health during ovarian suppression, and the emotional demands of long-term treatment management.

Integrative approaches available at Chinese oncology centres — including Traditional Chinese Medicine supportive care — may be offered alongside standard treatment. Acupuncture has been studied for chemotherapy-induced nausea, cancer-related fatigue, and pain management. Nutrition support and appetite management are particularly relevant for patients undergoing intensive surgical debulking and concurrent chemotherapy. These approaches are used as complementary support — not as alternatives to evidence-based ovarian cancer treatment.