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Treating Ovarian Cancer

If you’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. It’s important that you think carefully about each of your choices. Weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects.

Local treatments

Some treatments are?local, meaning they treat the tumor without affecting the rest of the body.

Types of local therapy used for ovarian cancer include:

Systemic treatments

Drugs used to treat ovarian cancer are considered?systemic?therapies?because they can reach cancer cells almost anywhere in the body. They can be given by mouth or put directly into the bloodstream.

Depending on the type of ovarian cancer, different types of drug treatment?might be used, including:

Common approaches

Typically, treatment plans are based on the type of ovarian cancer, its stage, and any special situations.?Most women with ovarian cancer will have some type of surgery to remove the tumor. Depending on the type of ovarian cancer and how advanced it is, you might need other types of treatment as well, either before or after surgery, or sometimes both.

Who treats ovarian cancer?

Based on your treatment options, you might have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors could include:

  • A gynecologic oncologist: a gynecology doctor who is specially trained to use surgery to treat ovarian cancer; many times they are also the ones to give chemotherapy and other medicines to treat ovarian cancer
  • A radiation oncologist: a doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer
  • A medical oncologist: a doctor who uses chemotherapy and other medicines to treat cancer

Many other specialists might be part of your treatment team as well, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, sex counselors, social workers, nutritionists, genetic counselors, and other health professionals.?

Making treatment decisions

Your treatment plan will depend on many factors, including your overall health, personal preferences, and whether you plan to have children. Age alone isn’t a determining factor since several studies have shown that older women tolerate ovarian cancer treatments well.?

It’s important to discuss all of your treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decision that best fits your needs. It’s also very important to ask questions if there's anything you’re not sure about.?

If time permits, it is often a good idea to seek a second opinion. A second opinion can give you more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose.