This study investigated the management of women with apparent early ovarian cancer in the South West region of England. This was retrospective review of prospectively collected data supplement by case note review. All women registered with stage 1 ovarian cancer in the 2 years from January 1997 to December 1998 were identified from the database of the Regional Cancer Organisation (RCO). Data on staging and subsequent management were obtained from the RCO database. Additional information was collected from the patients' casenotes. We considered the accuracy of staging, consideration of fertility-sparing surgery, evidence of multidisciplinary approach to management, appropriateness of oncological referral and adjuvant therapy. Of 222 cases of stage 1 ovarian cancer identified from the RCO database, 168 casenotes were available for inspection. Eighty-seven cases were confirmed as FIGO stage 1 but the substage was amended in 21 cases. There were insufficient data available in 75 cases to confirm the stage assigned. Six cases were re-staged to FIGO stage 3a. Fertility-sparing surgery was considered in four of 10 nulliparous patients of reproductive age. Thirty-nine patients with disease more advanced than FIGO stage 1b were not referred for onco1 logical opinion. Even after Calmine-Hine guidelines are implemented, women with early ovarian cancer may still be treated in general hospitals. There is an urgent need to provide clear local guidelines for the management of these patients.