Ovarian Cancer 101: Know Your Treatment Options

Ovarian Cancer 101: Know Your Treatment Options

What happens now? This may be one of the first things that comes to mind if you or a loved one is one of the almost 20,000 women in the United States who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year.

Dealing with an ovarian cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to treatment options. And while it’s natural that every case is different, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the plan that’s best for you.

In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about ovarian cancer treatments.

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer affects one or both fallopian tubes or the peritoneumwhich is the mucus inside your abdominal cavity.

What types of ovarian cancer are there?

There are different types and subtypes of ovarian cancer. The most common is epithelial ovarian cancer or carcinoma (EOC) with a contribution of 9 out of 10 cases of ovarian cancer. Serous epithelial ovarian cancer is the subtype Most frequently.

Most treatment options focus on EOC as it is the most common type. (Other types, such as ovarian germ cell and stromal tumors, represent less than 3% of cases together).

What is the treatment for ovarian cancer?

Treatment plans for ovarian cancer are different for every person. Options vary depending on the type, stage (the size of the tumor and how far it has spread). has spread ovarian cancer) and your health in general.

Common treatment options for ovarian cancer include:

Surgery

Surgery is done to remove the tumor and determine the stage of the cancer. Often, surgery for EOC is a hysterectomy which removes the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, along with some pelvic and abdominal lymph nodes and the omentum (a fat pad that covers part of the abdomen). Fluids and other tissue may also be removed for testing. If the cancer is more advanced, the surgery may be more extensive.

Chemotherapy and radiation

What is the goal of chemotherapy? Destroy any microscopic cancer cells (think of them as tiny grains of sand) that may be present. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, which means it affects the whole body. On the other hand, local treatment options like radiation target a specific area.

targeted drug therapy

Targeted therapies use drugs to attack parts of cancer cells that make them different from normal, healthy cells. An example: The PARP inhibitors (Poly ADP ribose polymerase) which are useful for improving the progression-free survival, that is, when the disease is still in the body, but does not get worse. Targeted drug therapy is determined based on factors such as the stage of the cancer and whether you have genetic mutations BRCA1 or BRCA2.

clinical trials

Los clinical trials they represent an opportunity to try new treatments, depending on the specific case. Additional benefit: Clinical studies are important for the general cancer research.

Who are the members of the ovarian cancer treatment team?

Many important things in everyday life are related to groups of people, and this also applies to the treatment of ovarian cancer. The HCP team may include:

  • An oncological gynecologist: a gynecologist who specializes in treating cancer of the female reproductive organs. She can perform surgery and prescribe chemotherapy and other treatments. research suggests have consultations with a gynecologist oncologist it can be useful for obtaining better surgical and general results.
  • An oncologist: A doctor who treats cancer with drugs, including chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
  • Radiation oncologists: Doctors who provide targeted radiation treatment.
  • Nurses, Physician Assistants, and Nurse Practitioners: Healthcare professionals involved in all aspects of care, including after surgery.
  • A geneticist or genetic counselor: A geneticist is a health care professional who tests for genetic mutations, such as in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, provides diagnoses, and makes decisions about personalized therapies to treat genetic conditions. A genetic counselor provides guidance and education related to test results and helps people manage their diagnoses.

Cancer social workers: help manage the non-medical aspects of treatment, such as the use of support services, including counseling and support groups. They can also help with mental and emotional health.

  • Patient navigators and navigators: provide support during treatment. They can help you communicate with your care team, make appointments, and deal with your insurance company. They can also help connect you with various forms of social, financial, and legal support.
  • Nutritionists: Help you determine what to eat and how to get the nutrition you need during your treatment.
  • Caregivers: they can be professionals, relatives or friends. They can provide emotional, physical and practical support throughout the process.
  • A palliative care team: A care team that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and spiritual counselors who specialize in improving the level of satisfaction and comfort during treatment.

What are the survival rates for ovarian cancer?

If you’re wondering whether ovarian cancer is treatable, the following information is important: As with many other cancers, the sooner it’s diagnosed, the better. When ovarian cancer is detected early, the survival rate a five years is 94%meaning 94 out of 100 people are still alive five years later.

The downside is that ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose because basic screening tests rarely identify early-stage cancers. Also, the symptoms Common symptoms of ovarian cancer such as numbness and pelvic pain are easily ignored. Often, when cancer is discovered, it is in a more advanced stage. One method of detecting ovarian cancer early is to know your medical history and monitor closely Anyone symptom.

From articles on your site
  • Too many women die of ovarian cancer. Valerie Palmieri is on a mission to change that. ›
  • Ovarian cancer is not a death sentence ›
  • Ovarian cancer >
  • Ovarian cancer: Know the symptoms and risk factors ›
Related articles Around the web