Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer can affect anyone who has ovaries and fallopian tubes. Ovarian cancer is most common in women aged over 50 years.
About Ovarian cancer
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are not always obvious, and it is often diagnosed late. However, if it is diagnosed early it can mean that the cancer is more curable.
What to expect from your initial appointments
You may have a long diagnostic period, most suspected ovarian cancer will be seen in a cancer exclusion clinic, where you will have a general gynae assessment including an examination. If required a CT will be requested with the possibility of having a biopsy.
What to expect from diagnostic tests and investigations
You may have one or more of the following diagnostic tests:
Blood test
You will be given a blood test to check for the CA125 protein. This protein is usually higher in patients with ovarian cancer.
Ultrasound scan
Ultrasound sses sound waves to create pictures of the organs in the pelvis and tummy area. This may identify any changes to your ovaries. Find out more about ultrasound scans.
CT Scan
CT scans take pictures of your body. If ovarian cancer is suspected you will have a chest, abdomen and pelvis CT. This normally takes around 10 minutes.
Surgery
Ovarian cancer can be quite difficult to diagnose from scans, in order to confirm a cancer a tissue sample is required. This is most likely carried out by a biopsy from the interventional radiology team (consultant gynaecologist that you will see in clinic will request this). If you need an operation, which is known as a laparotomy. If the cancer looks as if it has spread, a laparoscopy to remove a sample of cells or tissue and determine a diagnosis may be performed.
Treatment options for Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer in primarily treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy and will be based on your wishes, your fitness and clinical appropriateness.
Chemotherapy
Your medical team may decide you need chemotherapy as your first treatment. If this is the case you will have had a biopsy to confirm cancer first. Normally two different
chemotherapy drugs are given and after three cycles you will have a CT scan to review how well the chemotherapy has worked. You may then have surgery.
You may also have chemotherapy after surgery. You will have up to a maximum of six to eight cycles. You may receive your one of your chemotherapy drugs (Carboplatin) every three weeks and then, if required, a further chemotherapy drug (Taxol) once a per week.
Immunotherapy/ targeted therapies
Immunotherapy/ targeted therapies may be given alongside your chemotherapy drugs but you will be advised this will be stopped prior to any agreed surgery and recommended following the completion of this surgery.
Surgery
Surgery is one of the main treatments for ovarian cancer and the type of surgery that you have will depend on the extent of your cancer and how far it has spread.
Operations can last up to six hours and following surgery you are likely to be in hospital for five to seven days. The aim of ovarian cancer surgery is to remove all visible cancer, you will meet and discuss this surgery with your gynae oncology surgeon in detail.
More information about treatment for Ovarian cancer
Living with and beyond cancer
After completing your cancer treatment If you have any symptoms or concerns contact your clinical nurse specialist and your GP.