What treatments are there for Ovarian Cancer?
There are a range of surgical and non-surgical treatments for Ovarian Cancer. Non-surgical treatments may be recommended by your consultant as a part of your overall ovarian cancer treatment plan or if surgery is not suitable for you due to factors such as the size of the tumor or your general health. These non-surgical treatments can be utilized to manage and treat ovarian cancer effectively.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Ovarian Cancer
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is typically administered after ovarian cancer surgery to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and eliminate any remaining cancer cells. In some cases, chemotherapy may be given before surgery if the tumor size makes surgery unsafe. The treatment usually lasts for a period of three weeks, followed by a CT scan to assess its effectiveness. Chemotherapy employs anti-cancer drugs that hinder the growth of cancer cells. Different types of medications are used to target cancer cells in specific ways, and your consultant will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your condition.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy utilizes medications that enhance the natural ability of your immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells in the ovaries. Ovarian cancer cells produce proteins that help them evade detection by immune cells. Immunotherapy works by interfering with this process and enabling immune cells to target and eliminate cancer cells. However, immunotherapy has not shown significant efficacy specifically for ovarian cancer.
Radiotherapy and targeted therapy
Radiotherapy involves the use of high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumor size. It is commonly employed when symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding, cannot be addressed through surgery. Targeted therapy, on the other hand, utilizes specific drugs that target vulnerabilities or weaknesses in cancer cells, causing their demise and reducing tumor size.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy utilizes drugs that block the effects of estrogen on ovarian cancer cells. In certain cases, ovarian cancer relies on estrogen for growth, and by inhibiting estrogen, hormone therapy can help control cancer and prevent further cell proliferation. This approach is typically used for slow-growing types of ovarian cancer.
Surgical Treatments for Ovarian Cancer
Surgery for ovarian cancer is performed using general anesthesia, ensuring that you remain asleep throughout the procedure and experience no pain or discomfort.The specific type of ovarian cancer surgery you undergo depends on the particular characteristics of your ovarian cancer and its extent of spread. If the cancer cells are limited to the ovaries without spreading elsewhere, your consultant may recommend the removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes. The following are the most common forms of ovarian cancer surgery:
Staging surgery
During staging surgery, your surgeon will thoroughly examine your abdominal and pelvic regions to determine if the ovarian cancer has spread beyond the ovaries. Tissue samples will be taken from various areas in the abdomen and pelvis, and a layer of fatty tissue near the ovaries will be removed. Additionally, abdominal fluid may be collected for laboratory analysis. These tests will help your consultant determine the stage of your ovarian cancer and guide further treatment decisions.
Surgery for low-grade cancer
During staging surgery, your surgeon will thoroughly examine your abdominal and pelvic regions to determine if the ovarian cancer has spread beyond the ovaries. Tissue samples will be taken from various areas in the abdomen and pelvis, and a layer of fatty tissue near the ovaries will be removed. Additionally, abdominal fluid may be collected for laboratory analysis. These tests will help your consultant determine the stage of your ovarian cancer and guide further treatment decisions.In cases of very early-stage ovarian cancer, if you still desire to have children, your surgeon may be able to perform a procedure that preserves your fertility. This procedure involves the removal of the affected ovary and fallopian tube while leaving the other ovary, fallopian tube, and uterus intact. However, if you have reached menopause or do not wish to have more children, your surgeon may recommend removing these reproductive organs as well.
Surgery for advanced ovarian cancer
If the ovarian cancer has spread beyond the ovaries to the pelvis and/or abdominal area, debulking surgery is typically performed. Debulking surgery aims to remove all visible disease by performing a
total hysterectomy, which involves the removal of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and omentum (a sheet of tissue connecting the stomach with other abdominal organs). Any visible growths within the abdomen will also be removed, and in some cases, a portion of the bowel may need to be resected.