Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medicines that travel through the bloodstream to treat cancer cells. Platinum-based chemotherapy is commonly used for epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers.
Comprehensive evaluation, staging and personalised treatment planning for ovarian cancer, with care tailored to the type of tumour, stage, pathology, relevant biomarkers and individual treatment needs.
Ovarian cancer is not one single disease. The tumour type, location, stage and biological characteristics can influence how it is diagnosed and treated.
Ovarian cancer develops from cells within or associated with the ovary. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type. Cancers arising from the fallopian tube and primary peritoneum can have similar characteristics and are generally evaluated and treated along similar principles.
Ovarian cancer may not cause obvious symptoms in its early stages. When a suspicious ovarian or pelvic abnormality is identified, evaluation may include clinical assessment, pelvic imaging, laboratory tests and tissue diagnosis when appropriate. Once cancer is confirmed, staging helps determine the extent of disease and guides treatment planning.
Different ovarian tumour types can behave differently and may require different treatment approaches.
Cancer arising from the tissue covering the ovary. Most ovarian cancers are epithelial ovarian cancers, and treatment commonly involves a combination of surgery and systemic treatment depending on the stage and individual circumstances.
Cancer arising from the lining of the fallopian tube. Fallopian tube cancer shares important clinical and treatment characteristics with epithelial ovarian and primary peritoneal cancers.
Cancer arising from the lining of the abdominal cavity. It can resemble epithelial ovarian and fallopian tube cancer and is generally managed using similar treatment principles.
Tumours that develop from the reproductive cells of the ovary. They are more commonly seen in younger patients and have different diagnostic and treatment considerations.
Tumours arising from stromal or sex-cord cells of the ovary. Their biological characteristics and treatment approach can differ from epithelial ovarian cancers.
Tumours with features that differ from invasive ovarian cancer. Management depends on the pathology, extent of disease, age and other individual factors.
There is no single treatment plan that applies to every patient. Treatment is selected after reviewing the complete clinical and pathological picture.
Epithelial, germ cell, stromal and borderline tumours can have different treatment approaches.
The location and extent of disease, including spread within or beyond the abdomen, influence treatment planning.
Microscopic examination helps identify the tumour type and other characteristics relevant to treatment.
Selected patients may benefit from molecular or genetic assessment when the results could influence treatment or risk assessment.
Age, general health, nutritional status, previous treatment and other medical conditions may influence treatment choices.
The treatment plan also considers whether the aim is disease control, reduction of recurrence risk, symptom management or another clinically appropriate goal.
Ovarian cancer treatment can involve multiple oncology specialties. Surgical, medical and radiation oncology perspectives may be brought together depending on the cancer type, stage and treatment plan.
Assessment of whether surgery is appropriate, the extent of surgery required and the role of surgical disease assessment and tumour removal.
Planning systemic treatment such as chemotherapy and selected targeted or other medicines according to the tumour type, treatment setting and relevant biomarkers.
Assessment of whether radiation therapy has a role in an individual patient's treatment or symptom-management plan.
If you have an ovarian mass, an abnormal scan, a confirmed diagnosis or are seeking another opinion, bring your reports for a structured discussion of the diagnosis and possible next steps.
Book a ConsultationOvarian cancer symptoms can be subtle and may resemble common digestive, urinary or gynaecological problems. Paying attention to persistent or unusual changes can help prompt appropriate medical evaluation.
Ongoing abdominal bloating or an increase in abdominal fullness that is unusual for you may warrant medical assessment, especially when it persists or worsens.
Persistent pain, discomfort or pressure in the pelvis or abdomen can occur with ovarian cancer, although these symptoms also have many other possible causes.
Feeling full sooner than usual, difficulty eating or a noticeable reduction in appetite can occur in some people with ovarian cancer.
A sudden or frequent urge to urinate, or needing to urinate more often than usual, can be one of the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer.
Constipation or other changes in bowel habits may occur, particularly when they are persistent or accompanied by other symptoms.
Ongoing back or abdominal discomfort can occur with ovarian cancer and should be assessed when it is unexplained or does not settle.
Vaginal bleeding or discharge that is unusual for you, particularly bleeding after menopause, should be discussed with a doctor.
A feeling of pelvic fullness or a lump identified during an examination or imaging may require further evaluation to determine its cause.
Recurrent bloating, pelvic discomfort, digestive changes or urinary symptoms that are unusual for you should not simply be assumed to be routine digestive or menstrual problems.
Bloating, abdominal discomfort, constipation, urinary symptoms and changes in appetite can occur with many non-cancerous conditions. Symptoms alone cannot diagnose ovarian cancer. Medical assessment is needed when symptoms are persistent, unusual or worsening.
Early ovarian cancer may cause few or nonspecific symptoms, and some symptoms overlap with common digestive or pelvic conditions.
Ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers can produce symptoms that are also seen with non-cancerous gastrointestinal, urinary or gynaecological conditions.
The important factor is not simply whether a symptom exists, but whether it is new, persistent, recurrent or different from your usual pattern.
Consider speaking with a doctor if you develop symptoms that are not normal for you, particularly when they persist, worsen or occur in combination.
It is important to distinguish screening from diagnostic evaluation. Screening looks for disease before symptoms occur, whereas diagnostic tests are used when a person has symptoms or findings that need investigation.
There is currently no simple, reliable screening test for ovarian cancer in women without symptoms. The Pap test does not screen for ovarian cancer. When symptoms or suspicious findings are present, a doctor may consider investigations such as a pelvic examination, transvaginal ultrasound or CA-125 blood testing as part of a diagnostic evaluation.
CA-125 is not by itself a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Levels can be raised for reasons other than cancer, so test results need to be interpreted together with the clinical picture and other investigations.
If you have persistent bloating, pelvic discomfort, urinary or bowel changes, unusual bleeding or an ovarian mass identified on imaging, consider discussing the findings with an appropriate specialist.
Book a ConsultationThere is no single test that can diagnose every ovarian cancer. Doctors combine the patient's symptoms, examination findings, imaging, laboratory results and, when appropriate, pathology to establish the diagnosis and determine the extent of disease.
Medical history, symptoms and physical or pelvic examination help determine which investigations may be appropriate.
Ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate an ovarian or pelvic abnormality and may be followed by additional imaging.
Blood tests and imaging such as CT, MRI or selected PET imaging may be used depending on the findings and suspected disease.
Pathological examination of tumour tissue can establish the cancer type and provide information needed for treatment planning.
The tests selected depend on the symptoms, imaging findings, suspected tumour type and clinical situation.
A pelvic examination can help identify abnormalities involving the reproductive organs and surrounding areas. It is one part of the overall evaluation and cannot by itself confirm ovarian cancer.
Ultrasound can provide detailed images of the ovaries and pelvic structures and may help assess an ovarian mass or other abnormality.
CA-125 measures a protein that can be elevated in some ovarian cancers. It can also rise in non-cancerous conditions, so it must be interpreted alongside other findings.
CT imaging can help assess the abdomen and pelvis and look for disease beyond the ovary, including possible spread within the abdominal cavity.
MRI provides detailed soft-tissue imaging and may be used when additional information about a pelvic or ovarian abnormality is required.
PET imaging may be considered in selected situations to provide additional information about suspected disease elsewhere in the body.
CA-125 is not a standalone diagnostic test for ovarian cancer. An elevated CA-125 level can occur with ovarian cancer, but it can also occur with conditions such as endometriosis and other non-cancerous or malignant conditions.
CA-125 may contribute to the evaluation of a patient with symptoms or an ovarian abnormality and can also be useful in monitoring selected patients after a diagnosis has been established.
A CA-125 result needs to be considered together with symptoms, examination findings, imaging and pathology rather than being interpreted on its own.
Pathology helps establish what type of tumour is present and provides information that can influence treatment planning.
A pathologist examines tissue under a microscope to determine whether cancer is present and to identify its pathological characteristics.
The method used to obtain tissue depends on the clinical situation. In ovarian cancer, tissue may be obtained during surgery or through another clinically appropriate procedure.
The pathology report can provide information about the specific tumour type and grade and may help distinguish epithelial ovarian cancer from germ cell, stromal or other tumour types. This distinction is important because different ovarian tumours can have different treatment approaches.
After ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer is diagnosed, staging determines how far the disease has spread. The stage is an important part of treatment planning.
Cancer is confined to one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, according to the specific stage criteria.
Cancer has extended to other pelvic structures according to the applicable staging criteria.
Disease has spread beyond the pelvis within the abdomen and/or to relevant lymph nodes.
Cancer has spread beyond the abdominal cavity to distant sites, according to the staging criteria.
Ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers use FIGO staging. Detailed staging depends on surgical findings, pathology, imaging and other clinical information.
Genetic and tumour testing may provide additional information for selected patients and can sometimes influence treatment or family risk assessment.
Depending on the tumour type and treatment setting, the oncology team may consider molecular or biomarker testing of the cancer tissue. The purpose is to identify characteristics that may have relevance to treatment selection.
Some ovarian cancers are associated with inherited genetic changes. Depending on the diagnosis and personal or family history, genetic counselling and testing may be considered.
Bring your ultrasound, CT or MRI reports, CA-125 results, pathology reports and previous medical records for a structured review of the diagnosis and next steps.
Book a ConsultationTreatment depends on the type and stage of ovarian cancer, whether the disease can be safely removed surgically, pathology and molecular findings, previous treatment and the patient's overall health.
Surgery may be used to remove ovarian cancer, assess the extent of disease and, where appropriate, remove as much visible tumour as safely possible. The extent of surgery depends on the disease and treatment plan.
Chemotherapy is an important treatment for many epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers. It may be given before or after surgery depending on the clinical situation.
Selected patients may receive targeted medicines based on the cancer type, treatment setting and relevant tumour or genetic characteristics.
After an appropriate response to initial treatment, selected patients may be considered for maintenance treatment to help manage the risk of disease returning or progressing.
Immunotherapy may have a role in selected ovarian cancers and treatment settings. Its suitability depends on the tumour characteristics and available evidence.
Clinical trials may provide access to treatments or treatment strategies being investigated for ovarian cancer and can be considered when an appropriate study is available.
Ovarian cancer treatment is not always surgery first. The sequence is selected according to disease extent, operability and the overall treatment strategy.
In selected patients, surgery may be performed first, followed by systemic treatment when indicated.
For some patients with advanced disease or when immediate complete tumour removal is not considered appropriate, systemic treatment may be given before surgery.
Chemotherapy or other treatment may be recommended after surgery depending on the tumour type, stage and pathological findings.
If ovarian cancer returns, treatment is selected according to previous treatment, the timing and pattern of recurrence and the tumour's characteristics.
Treatment may involve comprehensive surgical staging and removal of the tumour. Depending on the stage, grade and tumour type, chemotherapy may or may not be recommended after surgery.
Advanced disease may involve extensive tumour within the abdomen or beyond the pelvis. Treatment can involve systemic therapy and surgery, with the sequence determined by whether satisfactory tumour removal can be achieved safely.
Treatment decisions should be based on the complete clinical picture. Two patients with the same broad diagnosis may receive different treatment sequences because their disease characteristics and individual circumstances are different.
Epithelial, germ cell, stromal and borderline tumours can require different treatment approaches.
The extent of disease helps determine whether surgery, systemic treatment or a combination should be considered.
The location and distribution of tumour can influence whether surgery should be performed immediately or after systemic treatment.
Histological type and tumour characteristics help guide treatment selection.
Selected tumour and inherited genetic findings may have relevance to treatment choices or family risk assessment.
Overall health, nutritional status, previous treatment, age and individual priorities are also considered.
The term “ovarian cancer” covers several different tumour groups. Treatment should therefore be based on the pathology rather than the location alone.
Surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy are important components of treatment. Selected patients may also be considered for targeted or maintenance treatment based on the clinical and molecular characteristics of the disease.
These tumours have different biological characteristics and treatment approaches. Surgery and chemotherapy are important treatments, with fertility-preserving surgery considered in appropriate patients.
Sex-cord stromal tumours are less common and may require a different treatment strategy based on the specific pathology and stage.
Borderline tumours are different from invasive ovarian cancer. Management depends on the pathology, extent of disease, age and fertility considerations.
Ovarian cancer treatment can affect appetite, nutrition, energy, bowel function and general wellbeing. Supportive care may include management of treatment side effects, nutritional support, symptom control and emotional or practical support throughout treatment.
Treatment decisions depend on the tumour type, stage, pathology, surgical feasibility and individual circumstances. A structured oncology consultation can help you understand the proposed treatment sequence and available options.
Book a ConsultationSurgery is an important part of treatment for many ovarian cancers. The operation may be used to remove the primary tumour, determine the extent of disease and remove visible cancer when this can be achieved safely and appropriately.
Surgery may aim to remove as much visible tumour as safely possible. The extent of surgery depends on where the disease is located and whether complete or near-complete tumour removal can be achieved safely.
Removal of the uterus may form part of surgery for selected epithelial ovarian cancers. Whether it is required depends on the tumour type, stage and individual treatment plan.
This involves removal of an ovary and fallopian tube on one side or both ovaries and tubes, depending on the diagnosis, stage and treatment objectives.
The omentum is a layer of tissue within the abdomen. It may be removed and examined as part of staging or cytoreductive surgery for appropriate ovarian cancers.
Lymph nodes may be sampled or removed and examined by pathology to determine whether cancer has spread to the lymphatic system.
When ovarian cancer has spread within the abdominal cavity, surgery may involve removal of visible tumour deposits from appropriate areas of the peritoneum or nearby structures.
Cytoreductive surgery, also called debulking surgery, is performed to remove as much visible ovarian cancer as can be safely removed. It is an important component of treatment for many patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.
In selected patients, surgery may be performed before systemic chemotherapy when the disease can be appropriately and safely treated surgically.
When immediate surgery is not considered appropriate, systemic treatment may be given first, followed by interval surgery in selected patients.
The surgical objective is determined by the extent and location of disease and the possibility of removing tumour safely while balancing the risks of a major operation.
Imaging, clinical assessment, general health and the expected distribution of disease are considered when determining whether surgery should be performed and when.
The exact operation is individualised. Not every patient requires all of these procedures.
A total hysterectomy removes the uterus and cervix. It may be performed together with removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes when clinically appropriate.
This procedure removes both ovaries and both fallopian tubes. It is commonly part of surgery for many epithelial ovarian cancers when fertility preservation is not an appropriate objective.
One ovary and one fallopian tube are removed. In selected patients, particularly with certain early-stage or germ-cell tumours, this approach may allow preservation of the other ovary and uterus.
Removal of the omentum may be performed as part of staging or cytoreductive surgery, depending on the type and extent of ovarian cancer.
During surgery, samples or washings from the abdominal and pelvic cavity may be collected for pathological assessment and staging.
Selected pelvic or para-aortic lymph nodes may be sampled or removed depending on the tumour type, stage and surgical plan.
Fertility considerations should be discussed before treatment when future pregnancy is important to the patient.
Selected younger patients with certain ovarian tumours may be candidates for fertility-sparing surgery. The decision depends on the tumour type, stage, grade, disease distribution and overall treatment plan.
Some ovarian cancer treatments can affect fertility. If future pregnancy is important, fertility preservation and reproductive options should be discussed with the oncology team before treatment begins whenever possible.
Preserving fertility is considered only when it is oncologically appropriate. The priority is safe and effective cancer treatment, while fertility-preserving options can be explored when they do not compromise the recommended cancer treatment.
The surgical approach depends on the tumour, extent of disease, required procedure and the surgeon's assessment. A minimally invasive approach is not automatically appropriate for every ovarian cancer operation.
An abdominal incision may be required for extensive cytoreductive surgery or when access to multiple areas of the abdomen is needed.
Small-incision surgery may be appropriate for selected ovarian masses or procedures when the disease and surgical objectives allow a minimally invasive approach.
Robotic-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive technique that may be considered for selected procedures. Its suitability depends on the individual disease and surgical requirements.
Surgical specimens are sent for pathological examination. The final pathology report helps confirm the tumour type and provides important information for determining the next stage of treatment.
Confirms the histological type of ovarian tumour.
Provides information about how the tumour cells appear and behave under microscopic examination.
Findings from the surgical specimens and sampled tissues help establish the final pathological stage.
When nodes are removed, pathology determines whether cancer cells are present.
Tissue from abdominal or pelvic disease can help establish the extent and distribution of cancer.
The final pathology is reviewed with the clinical and staging information to guide further treatment.
Recovery varies according to the extent of surgery, the surgical approach, overall health and whether additional treatment is planned.
Major abdominal surgery may require a period of hospital recovery. The treating team monitors pain, wound healing, bowel and bladder function, mobility and nutrition.
Gradual return to eating, walking and everyday activity is usually guided by the surgical team according to the individual's recovery.
Once the final pathology and surgical findings are reviewed, the oncology team can determine whether chemotherapy or another treatment is recommended.
The right surgical approach depends on the tumour type, stage, disease distribution, fertility considerations and overall treatment plan. Bring your imaging and pathology reports for a personalised discussion.
Book a ConsultationMedical treatment plays an important role in ovarian cancer care. Depending on the tumour type, stage, pathology, molecular findings, previous treatment and overall health, treatment may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, maintenance treatment, selected immunotherapy or radiation therapy.
For many epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers, treatment commonly involves a combination of surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. The sequence may vary depending on whether surgery can safely remove the visible disease at the outset.
Chemotherapy uses medicines that travel through the bloodstream to treat cancer cells. Platinum-based chemotherapy is commonly used for epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers.
Targeted medicines act on specific biological pathways involved in cancer growth or survival. Their use depends on the cancer's characteristics and treatment setting.
After an initial response to treatment, selected patients may be offered maintenance therapy to help control the disease for longer.
Immunotherapy may be considered in selected situations, including certain recurrent cancers or biomarker-defined settings. It is not automatically appropriate for every ovarian cancer.
Radiation is not usually the main treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer, but it may have a role in selected circumstances, including treatment of specific areas of disease or symptom control.
Clinical trials may provide access to emerging treatments or new treatment combinations when a suitable study is available.
Chemotherapy is an important part of treatment for many ovarian cancers. For epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers, platinum-based chemotherapy is commonly used, often in combination with another chemotherapy medicine.
Chemotherapy may be given after surgery, before surgery, or as part of treatment for recurrent disease. The sequence is selected after considering the extent of disease and whether an effective and safe operation can be performed.
Chemotherapy selection depends on tumour type, stage, previous treatment, response, general health and other clinical factors.
Yes. In selected patients with advanced ovarian cancer, chemotherapy may be given before surgery. This is often called neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Imaging, pathology and clinical assessment help establish the extent and characteristics of the cancer.
Selected patients receive systemic treatment before an operation.
The treatment response is assessed clinically and with appropriate investigations.
Surgery may then be considered when the disease can be removed safely and effectively.
Targeted therapy is designed to interfere with specific biological processes that cancer cells depend on. It may be considered when the tumour has characteristics that make a particular treatment appropriate.
PARP inhibitors interfere with DNA repair mechanisms. They have an important role in selected ovarian cancers, particularly where BRCA-related or other homologous recombination repair abnormalities are relevant.
Medicines such as bevacizumab target pathways involved in the formation of blood vessels that support tumour growth. It may be used with chemotherapy or in selected treatment settings.
Molecular and genetic information can therefore influence treatment planning and whether a targeted or maintenance treatment may be appropriate.
BRCA status and other tumour characteristics may help the oncology team determine whether certain targeted or maintenance approaches are appropriate.
Maintenance treatment is therapy given after an initial treatment has produced a response or controlled the cancer. Its purpose is to help maintain disease control for an appropriate period in patients who are suitable for it.
Selected patients may receive a PARP inhibitor based on factors such as treatment response, BRCA status, homologous recombination status and the clinical setting.
Anti-angiogenic therapy may be incorporated into treatment for selected patients depending on the disease setting and previous treatment.
In some situations, active treatment may be completed and the patient may enter structured surveillance rather than receive maintenance medication.
Ovarian germ cell tumours are different from the more common epithelial ovarian cancers. They often occur in younger patients and may respond very well to chemotherapy.
Treatment depends on the exact tumour type, stage and whether fertility preservation is appropriate.
A chemotherapy combination known as BEP — bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin — is one established regimen used for malignant ovarian germ cell tumours.
The chemotherapy and surgical approach for a germ cell tumour should not simply be assumed to be the same as treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer.
Immunotherapy is being studied and used in selected ovarian cancer settings. It is not a routine treatment for every newly diagnosed ovarian cancer.
Its suitability depends on the clinical situation, previous treatment, tumour characteristics and available treatment options. In recurrent disease, immune checkpoint inhibitors may be considered in selected circumstances.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage cancer cells. It is not generally the main treatment backbone for epithelial ovarian cancer.
However, radiation may have a role in selected clinical situations, particularly when treatment needs to target a specific area of disease or help control symptoms.
The radiation oncology team considers the location and extent of disease, previous treatments and nearby organs before deciding whether radiation is appropriate.
Whether radiation is useful depends on the individual cancer, treatment history and therapeutic goal.
Cancer treatment can affect appetite, energy, blood counts, digestion, nerves and other body systems. Side effects vary between medicines and between patients.
Surgery, chemotherapy, targeted treatment and radiation are not separate decisions made in isolation. The treatment plan may be reviewed by specialists from different disciplines so that the sequence of care is appropriate for the individual patient.
Discuss Your Treatment PlanOvarian cancer treatment is not a single procedure or medicine. The care plan develops step by step after confirming the diagnosis, understanding the stage and tumour characteristics, and assessing the patient's overall health and treatment goals.
At Precision Oncology Clinic, treatment planning brings together surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiation oncology when appropriate, with pathology, imaging and molecular information considered as part of the overall clinical picture.
Clinical assessment, imaging and tissue pathology help establish whether cancer is present and identify the tumour type.
Staging investigations help determine where the cancer is located and whether it has spread beyond the ovary or pelvis.
Histology, grade and relevant molecular or genetic information may influence treatment selection.
The team determines whether surgery, chemotherapy or another treatment should be used first.
Clinical assessment and appropriate investigations help determine how the cancer is responding to treatment.
Depending on the response, further treatment, maintenance therapy or structured follow-up may be recommended.
Complex ovarian cancer treatment may involve more than one oncology speciality. Coordinated review can help align surgery, systemic treatment and radiation when radiation has a role.
Surgical oncology assessment can help determine whether surgery is appropriate, what the surgical objectives may be and whether fertility preservation or other surgical considerations need to be discussed.
View Surgical Oncologist Profile →Medical oncology review may focus on chemotherapy, targeted treatment, maintenance therapy and systemic treatment options based on the tumour's characteristics and treatment history.
View Medical Oncologist Profile →Radiation oncology assessment may be considered when radiation could have a role for a specific area of disease or for selected symptom-control situations.
View Radiation Oncologist Profile →Two people with the same broad stage of ovarian cancer may not necessarily receive exactly the same treatment.
The oncology team may consider several factors together before recommending a treatment sequence.
A second opinion can help you better understand the diagnosis, proposed treatment sequence and available alternatives before starting or changing cancer treatment.
It is particularly useful when you have questions about the diagnosis, extent of disease, surgical approach, chemotherapy sequence, fertility considerations or molecular testing.
Request a ConsultationWhat type of ovarian cancer do I have?
What is the stage and extent of the disease?
Do I need genetic or molecular testing?
Should surgery or chemotherapy come first?
What are the goals of the proposed treatment?
What side effects should I expect?
Are there fertility-preservation considerations?
What happens after the initial treatment is completed?
Completing treatment is not the end of cancer care. Follow-up appointments help the oncology team assess recovery, manage treatment-related effects and evaluate symptoms or clinical changes over time.
Follow-up may include physical assessment, blood tests or imaging when clinically appropriate. The exact schedule depends on the cancer type, treatment received and individual circumstances.
Bring your reports and previous treatment records for a clinical discussion about diagnosis, staging and available treatment options.
Book a ConsultationFind answers to common questions about ovarian cancer symptoms, diagnosis, staging, surgery, chemotherapy, targeted treatment, fertility preservation and follow-up care.
Ovarian cancer may not cause obvious symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms occur, they may include persistent bloating, abdominal or pelvic discomfort, feeling full quickly, urinary changes, bowel changes or a feeling of pressure or swelling in the abdomen or pelvis. These symptoms can also occur with many non-cancerous conditions.
No. Bloating is common and usually has causes other than ovarian cancer. However, new, persistent or worsening bloating, especially when accompanied by pelvic or abdominal symptoms, should be discussed with a doctor so that the underlying cause can be evaluated.
There is currently no simple, reliable routine screening test for ovarian cancer in women who do not have symptoms and are not at particularly high risk. Tests such as transvaginal ultrasound and CA-125 may be used when ovarian cancer is suspected or when evaluating an individual patient, but they are not standalone screening tests for the general population.
Evaluation may include a medical history, physical and pelvic examination, ultrasound, CT or MRI and selected blood tests such as CA-125. When cancer is suspected, tissue obtained through an appropriate biopsy or surgical procedure is examined by a pathologist to establish the diagnosis and tumour type.
No. CA-125 can be elevated for reasons other than ovarian cancer, including some benign gynaecological conditions. Doctors interpret CA-125 together with symptoms, examination, imaging and, when required, pathology findings.
Pathology can establish whether malignant cells are present and provide information about the tumour type and other characteristics that can influence treatment planning. Additional pathological, molecular or genetic testing may be appropriate in selected patients.
Epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers are generally staged from I to IV. Staging describes how far the cancer has spread and helps the oncology team plan treatment. Additional details within each stage depend on the exact disease characteristics.
Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy and selected targeted or maintenance treatments. Immunotherapy and radiation therapy may have a role in particular clinical situations. The treatment plan depends on tumour type, stage, pathology, molecular findings, previous treatment and the patient's overall health.
Surgery is an important part of treatment for many ovarian epithelial cancers, but the timing and extent of surgery vary. Some patients have surgery first, while others may receive chemotherapy before surgery. The decision depends on the extent of disease and whether effective and safe surgery can be performed.
Fertility-preserving surgery may be possible for selected patients, depending on the tumour type, stage, disease characteristics and treatment plan. It is particularly relevant in some early-stage cancers, germ cell tumours and selected borderline tumours. Fertility should be discussed before treatment whenever it is an important consideration.
Many patients with epithelial ovarian cancer require chemotherapy, particularly when the disease is advanced. However, the need for chemotherapy depends on tumour type, stage, pathology, surgical findings and other individual factors.
Yes. In selected patients, chemotherapy may be given before surgery. This approach can be considered when the cancer is advanced and the oncology team believes that initial systemic treatment may help make subsequent surgery more appropriate or effective.
Maintenance treatment is therapy given after an initial treatment has produced a response or controlled the cancer. Selected patients may be offered maintenance treatment such as a PARP inhibitor or another appropriate therapy depending on tumour characteristics, treatment response and the clinical setting.
Targeted treatments can be appropriate for selected ovarian cancers. PARP inhibitors are used in particular treatment settings and their suitability can depend on factors such as BRCA status, tumour biology, previous treatment and response. They are not appropriate for every patient.
Yes. A second opinion can help you understand the diagnosis, stage, proposed treatment sequence and available alternatives. Bringing pathology reports, imaging, previous treatment records and relevant molecular or genetic reports can make the consultation more useful.
Follow-up care continues after initial treatment. Depending on the individual situation, follow-up may include clinical assessments, blood tests or imaging when appropriate. The oncology team also monitors recovery, treatment-related effects and any new symptoms or signs that require further evaluation.
Discuss your reports, diagnosis, stage and treatment options with an oncology team before making treatment decisions.
Precision Oncology Clinic, the best Cancer Clinic in Bangalore, located in Vijayanagar. Book appointment!
©2024. All Rights Reserved. Precision Oncology Clinic
By HAAPS
Book Appointment