Home    | About Us    | News & Events    | Academic Affiliates    | Contact Us    | Directions

Health Information Services Physicians Referring Physicians Hospitals and Clinics MyHealth Patients & Visitors Faculty & Staff

Ellis Fischel Cancer Center 115 Business Loop 70 W. Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 882-2100 About Clinical Trials Directions Disease Sites Ellis Fischel Gala Ellis Magazine E-mail a Patient E-mail Us Employment Gift Shop Guest House Index A to Z Make a Gift Margaret Proctor Mulligan     Breast Health Center Phone Numbers Physician Information Support Groups Treatment Programs Submit Comments

Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Surgery

Surgery for ovarian cancer is both treatment and part of the staging procedure to determine the spread of disease and what further therapy should be recommended. Most often this surgery is considered major surgery and involves removal of the ovaries, tubes, uterus, cervix as well as other tissues, which may be involved with the tumor. Removing as much tumor as possible improves length of survival, regardless of any additional therapy. Surgeons who do these operations regularly and are familiar with the disease process are best prepared to carry out this surgery (i.e.; gynecologic oncologist-see What is Gynecologic Oncology?). A stay of 4-7 days in the hospital can be expected following this surgery. (See Gyn Cancer Surgery). In most cases, chemotherapy will follow the surgery as soon as the patient is recovered enough to be able to safely give this treatment.

Chemotherapy

Although surgery has removed most of the ovarian tumor, clinical trials and experience indicate that microscopic cancer cells are left behind after these extensive surgeries. If not treated with chemotherapy, the cells will begin to grow and form more tumors. Women who have large amounts of fluid in their abdomens from the cancer, before surgery (ascites), notice it begins to come back after the operation, even before they leave the hospital. This is one indication of remaining cancer cells and this fluid will not go away and stay away unless the patient receives chemotherapy to kill the cells, which cause it to accumulate.

Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer consists of a combination of drugs. These treatments are usually given through an IV, into the vein, once every three weeks for approximately 6 cycles or 18 weeks. Depending on the treatment, it may be given in the hospital or an outpatient treatment center and takes 1 - 2 days. Clinical trials through the National Cancer Association are available and should be considered since they are designed to improve cancer treatment and cure rates (See clinical trials).

Chemotherapy Side Effects

Side effects from chemotherapy depend on the combination of drugs used and the schedule with which they are given, as well as the characteristics of the woman being treated. Like radiation, many side effects of chemotherapy show up as reactions of normal cells to these drugs. Many people associate hair loss with chemotherapy, however not all drugs cause this reaction or do so to varying degrees. But hair cells, which grow relatively quickly, (like cancer cells) are more readily affected than some other areas of the body, which are made up of cells which grow more slowly. The cells in the bloodstream are another example of cells which grow more quickly and are often affected by chemotherapy or radiation. The nature of this treatment requires careful monitoring with blood tests at regular times and additional tests to help prevent side effects from causing problems.

Ovarian Cancer