OBJECTIVE: To examine patient s preferences and beliefs about oral versus intravenous chemotherapy in recurrent ovarian cancer. Despite encouraging short-term results, most patients ultimately develop recurrence. Second-line treatment plays an important role in the care of this patient population. Quality of life and patient preferences have not been well studied in this setting. METHODS: Patients who have received 1st line IV therapy answered an investigator-developed survey of' preferences and beliefs regarding route of chemotherapy administration. Patients rated statements from 1 (strongly agree) to 5 (strongly disagree). The willingness to accept additional costs for oral chemotherapy was also surveyed. RESULTS: Of 39 patients assessed, 56% stated a preference for oral chemotherapy, 28% preferred IV chemotherapy, and 15% had no preference. Interestingly, even patients stating a preference for IV therapy were willing to pay an average of $450 per cycle for oral chemotherapy. While oral preference patients were willing to pay $687 out-of-pocket per cycle of chemotherapy. Patient Reported Preferences and Beliefs, 1=strongly agree Questions Oral (n=22) IV (n=11) No Preference (n=6) P-value IV more effective 3.1 3.3 3.5 Pills more effective 3.4 4.0 3.3 IV at clinic convenient 2.6* 1.0* 2.2 p=.003 Pills convenient 0.4 1.2 1.5 p=.025 Prefer pills at home 2.1* 3.6* 2.5 p=.002 Worry about IV line started 3.2* 4.6* 2.8 Worry over emesis with pills 3.4 3.8 2.3 DISSCUSSION: In general, patients preferred home treatment to clinic treatment, and felt strongly that oral chemotherapy was more convenient and not less effective. This study suggests that many patients with recurrent ovarian cancer value their time away from a clinical setting and prefer oral chemotherapy at home. The reason why patients prefer oral therapy is convenience and effectiveness.