What is Ovarian Cancer Treatment?

Ovarian cancer is a growth of cells that forms in the ovaries. The cells multiply quickly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissue.

The female reproductive system contains two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries – each about the size of an almond – produce eggs (ova) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Ovarian Cancer Treatment Options

Treatment of ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Other treatments may be used in certain situations.

Surgery: Operations to remove ovarian cancer include:

Surgery to remove one ovary. For early-stage cancer that hasn’t spread beyond one ovary, surgery may involve removing the affected ovary and its fallopian tube. This procedure may preserve your ability to have children.

Surgery to remove both ovaries. If cancer is present in both your ovaries, but there are no signs of additional cancer, your surgeon may remove both ovaries and both fallopian tubes. This procedure leaves your uterus intact, so you may still be able to become pregnant using your own frozen embryos or eggs or with eggs from a donor.Surgery to remove both ovaries and the uterus. If your cancer is more extensive or if you don’t wish to preserve your ability to have children, your surgeon will remove the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, nearby lymph nodes and a fold of fatty abdominal tissue (omentum).

Surgery for advanced cancer. If your cancer is advanced, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Sometimes chemotherapy is given before or after surgery in this situation.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in the body, including cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be injected into a vein or taken by mouth. Chemotherapy is often used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that might remain. It can also be used before surgery.

Targeted therapy: Targeted drug treatments focus on specific weaknesses present within cancer cells. By attacking these weaknesses, targeted drug treatments can cause cancer cells to die.

Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy uses drugs to block the effects of the hormone estrogen on ovarian cancer cells. Some ovarian cancer cells use estrogen to help them grow, so blocking estrogen may help control the cancer. Hormone therapy might be a treatment option for some types of slow-growing ovarian cancers. It may also be an option if the cancer comes back after initial treatments.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses the immune system to fight cancer. The body’s disease-fighting immune system may not attack cancer cells because they produce proteins that help them hide from the immune system cells. Immunotherapy works by interfering with that process. Immunotherapy might be an option for treating ovarian cancer in certain situations.

Supportive (palliative) care: Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. Palliative care can be used while undergoing other aggressive treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy.

When is Ovarian Cancer Treatment required?

If you are suffering from any of the above mentioned symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately who would advise tests to confirm the diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you need to start the treatment immediately.

How is Ovarian Cancer Treatment done?

Surgery to remove one ovary

For early-stage cancer that hasn’t spread beyond one ovary, surgery may involve removing the affected ovary and its fallopian tube. This procedure may preserve your ability to have children.

Surgery to remove both ovaries

If cancer is present in both your ovaries, but there are no signs of additional cancer, your surgeon may remove both ovaries and both fallopian tubes. This procedure leaves your uterus intact, so you may still be able to become pregnant using your own frozen embryos or eggs or with eggs from a donor.

Surgery to remove both ovaries and the uterus

If your cancer is more extensive or if you don’t wish to preserve your ability to have children, your surgeon will remove the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, nearby lymph nodes and a fold of fatty abdominal tissue (omentum).

Surgery for advanced cancer

If your cancer is advanced, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Sometimes chemotherapy is given before or after surgery in this situation.

What is the Recovery after Ovarian Cancer Treatment like?

Surgery to treat ovarian cancer is a major operation. It can take up to 3 months to fully recover. You’ll need to take things very easy for at least the first couple of weeks. Rest as much as possible and try to avoid spending too long on your feet.

What Results Can I Expect from Ovarian Cancer Treatment?

The results of the surgery chosen depend on the stage of ovarian cancer. If detected early, there is a good chance of complete recovery.