Platinum-containing regimens are the mainstay of initial treatment for ovarian cancer and for platinum-sensitive recurrent disease. In recurrent ovarian cancer, the effectiveness of platinum retreatment is dependent on the relapse-free and treatment-free intervals. Platinum agents can be effectively re-administered to patients with disease that relapses >12 months after completion of a platinum regimen. Ovarian cancer that relapses 6-12 months after treatment with a platinum regimen is considered partially platinum sensitive. Phase III studies of combination regimens versus platinum monotherapy and comparing various non-platinum agents administered as monotherapy generally do not report separate data for partially platinum-sensitive patients. Studies reporting data in patients with a platinum-free interval > or =6 months demonstrate advantages for pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) versus paclitaxel and PLD versus topotecan. A platinum-taxane combination or single-agent PLD is recommended for the treatment of partially platinum-sensitive disease by the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.