A Phase III Randomized Trial of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Versus Triplet or Sequential Doublet Combinations in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian or Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma.

Histologic diagnosis of primary peritoneal or epithelial ovarian carcinoma, Stage III or IV, optimal or suboptimal residual dz following initial surgery. Must have appropriate surgery with tissue available. Serous adenocarcinoma, endometrioid adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, clear cell adenocarcinoma, mixed epithelial carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma; malignant Brenner's Tumor, or adenocarcinoma NOS. Adequate bone marrow, renal, hepatic, and neurologic function. PS 0,1, or 2. Must be entered no more than 12 wks post-op. Ability to provide blood and unstained slides of primary tumor. No Borderline carcinomas. Pts with prior diagnosis of low malignant potential tumor surgically resected and subsequently developed invasive adenocarcinoma eligible if no prior chemo for ovarian tumor. No prior radiotherapy to abdominal cavity or pelvis. Prior radiation for localized cancer of the breast, head and neck, or skin permitted if completed more that 3 yrs prior to registration and pt remains free of recurrent or metastatic dz. No prior chemo for abdominal or pelvic tumor. Prior adjuvant chemo for localized breast cancer permitted if completed more than 3 yrs prior to registration and pt remains free of recurrent or metastatic dz. No synchronous primary endometrial cancer or past history of primary endometrial cancer unless: Stage not greater than I-B; no more than superficial myometrial invasion, without vascular or lymphatic invasion; no poorly differentiated subtypes, including papillary serous, clear cell, or other FIGO Grade 3 lesions. No pts with other invasive malignancies (except non-melanoma skin cancer and those noted) with evidence of other cancer present within last 5 yrs or whose previous cancer treatment contraindicates protocol therapy. No acute hepatitis. No active infection that requires antibiotics. No GI bleeding requiring blood product support. No unstable angina or MI within past 6 months. No evidence of abnormal cardiac conduction, unless stable for past 6 months.