DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of ovarian epithelial carcinoma No prior participation in this study as a member of a different group Group 1: Prior surgery required Scheduled for first line chemotherapy No chemotherapy prior to surgery Group 2: Prior surgery required Completion of 6 courses of first line platinum-based chemotherapy required within 8 weeks prior to study Group 3: Must have achieved complete response to first line therapy At least 3 months since any therapy for cancer Prior surgery required Prior chemotherapy allowed Prior radiotherapy allowed Group 4: Must have recurrent disease Scheduled for chemotherapy Prior surgery required Prior chemotherapy allowed Prior radiotherapy allowed