Ovarian cancer treatment almost always begins with surgery. Most women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer will have an operation to remove the tumor, or at least as much as possible.
If the cancer is diagnosed early (as is the case in only 2 in 10 women), the operation may be limited to the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, a procedure called bilateral salpingo.oophorectomyas well as the uterus (a hysterectomy). Depending on the cancer and the stage, some women who wish to preserve their fertility may be able to retain an ovary and fallopian tube, as well as their uterus.
More extensive surgery may be necessary for cancers that have spread, provided the patient is healthy enough to withstand it.
Surgery is important for staging the cancer – determining how advanced it is to determine the best treatment and establish a prognosis.
Medication Options
After surgery, many patients are treated with numerous rounds of chemotherapy, which involves giving drugs (usually two used in combination) that kill cancer cells. Sometimes patients receive chemotherapy before and after surgery, to first shrink the tumor before it is surgically removed. Except for early-stage cancers, chemotherapy is almost always part of the treatment plan.
For advanced ovarian cancers, doctors may also turn to targeted therapy. This type of next-generation drug works by focusing on the specific characteristics of cancer cells, disrupting their internal functioning and causing them to die, while sparing healthy cells.
For example, the targeted drug bevacizumab (Avastin) attacks cancer by targeting a protein in malignant cells that allows them to form new blood vessels that they need to grow. (8)
Alternative and complementary therapies
Some women with ovarian cancer turn to alternative therapies to ease their symptoms and side effects.
Common therapies include:
Always talk to your doctor before trying any alternative treatment.
Additionally, patients with ovarian cancer may benefit from palliative care. This approach can ease the physical and emotional impacts of cancer. Palliative care can be provided in addition to standard care. cancer treatments. When combined with appropriate therapies, people who choose palliative care can feel better and live longer. (9,ten)
Ovarian cancer prevention
Scientists continue to look for ways to reduce a woman’s risk of getting ovarian cancer.
So far, they have identified two protective factors:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding Women who become pregnant before age 26 and carry to term are at lower risk, with each subsequent full-term pregnancy further decreasing the risk. Breastfeeding also has an effect, perhaps because it prevents ovulation. The risk of cell mutation, which can lead to cancer, is greater as you ovulate. (11,12)
- Birth control Women who used oral contraceptives are at less risk. The same goes for women who have had a tubal ligation (have had their fallopian tubes tied) or used a intrauterine device (IUD) for a short period. Women who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) also see their risk of ovarian cancer reduced by a third. (4)
