Ovarian Cancer Treatment: Surgery

There are a number of treatments for ovarian cancer including surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapies. The next few days posts will focus on each type of treatment.

The stage and grade will help determine how your ovarian cancer will be treated.


Surgery:

Surgery is the main treatment for ovarian cancer . Studies have found that women whose surgery is completed by a gynecologic oncologist will have better outcomes.( http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/health/ovarian-cancer-study-finds-widespread-flaws-in-treatment.html?_r=0) Studies have also found that survival increases when the gynecologic oncologist is able to remove all of the visible disease.

Depending on the extent of the disease  the gynecologic oncologist will remove the uterus ( hysterectomy), one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes ( Salpingo-oopherectomy) ,and fatty tissue in the pelvis( oomentum) as well as lymph nodes. ( Please see http://www.cancer.gov/images/cdr/live/CDR612116.jpg for an image of  the organs that may be removed.) You may hear the term debulking surgery . This is the term used for the removal of as much tumor as possible.

Most women will have surgery before chemotherapy but in the case of advanced disease at diagnosis (Stage 3C,  Stage 4) women may be offered chemotherapy ( neoadjuvant) first and then surgery after 3-4 chemotherapy treatments.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Sources:
NCI: http://www.cancer.gov/types/ovarian/patient/ovarian-epithelial-treatment-pdq#section/_156
MD Anderson: http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/cancer-information/cancer-types/ovarian-cancer/treatment/index.html

You Can Reduce Your Risk

Yesterday’s post listed what increased a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer. Now let’s look at the flip side and list what things can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer

• Use of oral contraceptive
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Bilateral tubal ligation (close the fallopian tubes) and hysterectomy( removal of the uterus)
• Prophylactic Oopherectomy (removal of both ovaries even if there is no sign of cancer) decreased a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by 2/3rds.
• Diet : dietary recommendations are still uncertain with studies unable to confirm results. A healthy diet with vegetables is recommended. By eating a healthy diet you are also reducing your risk for other cancers and heart disease.

 Source:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/detailedguide/ovarian-cancer-risk-factors

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!