Ovarian cancer

Treatment options include:

• Surgery. Your doctor will discuss with you which type of surgery will be best in your case. The surgery will be carried out through an incision in the abdomen and will usually involve the removal of both ovaries, the womb and the fallopian tubes (an operation which is known as a hysterectomy). If there has been spread of the cancer cells to the bowel your doctor may need to remove the affected part. He will also look for any lymph nodes that may be affected.
• Chemotherapy, or anti-cancer drugs. These may be used either before surgery to shrink the tumour, or afterwards to help kill any cancer cells which have been left behind. Chemotherapy is the main treatment in cases where the cancer has spread to the liver or elsewhere outside the abdomen, or in cases of recurrent cancer. One of the most effective drug combinations is believed to be paclitaxel (Taxol) plus either cisplatin or carboplatin.
• Drugs used to treat ovarian cancer may be given by mouth or injected into a vein. They are most often given in cycles: a treatment period, followed by a rest period, then another treatment period, and so on. Many of the side effects of chemotherapy have been reduced over the years because the drugs have been refined or drugs for the side effects are better used. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs given and the individual response of the patient. Chemotherapy commonly affects hair cells, blood-forming cells and cells lining the digestive tract. As a result, patients may have side effects such as hair loss, lowered blood counts, nausea or vomiting. Most side effects end after treatment is stopped.
• Radiotherapy. This uses high-energy rays that destroy cancer cells. It is used less often in cases of ovarian cancer than surgery or chemotherapy, but may be useful where there are individual areas of cancer that have come back after treatment. Radiotherapy will be given in the hospital radiotherapy department over a period of time that is determined by the extent of the cancer and other factors.

After your treatment is finished, your doctor should discuss follow-up care. You will probably have to undergo regular blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound studies or 'second-look' surgery to make sure the cancer has not returned.