The role of radiation in the management of ovarian carcinoma continues to be a controversial issue. This article discusses some of the controversies surrounding treatment with radiotherapy in the context of an analysis of the reasons that have led to the apparent failure of radiotherapy to cure many patients and describes several new experimental strategies with a potential for future improvement. Although the recent outcome of the combined modality approach has been extremely frustrating, the prospects for future developments of the experimental leads described in this article are encouraging and will hopefully translate into more effective results of this approach in ovarian carcinoma.