Treatment Options

Transcript

Ovarian cancer is most commonly managed with surgery and chemotherapy. As a gynecologic oncologist, we usually choose surgery first if we determine that the patient is healthy enough for surgery and that there is a high likelihood that we can remove all visible cancer.

The majority of stage one and two patients are treated with surgery. Stage three and four patients receive individualized treatment based on the clinical criteria that I mentioned. This may include surgery, then chemotherapy, or chemotherapy, then surgery followed by chemotherapy again. Due to the high risk of recurrence and aggressive nature of epithelial ovarian cancer, even if diagnosed in early stage, the majority of ovarian cancer patients need chemotherapy.

Additionally, there have been many exciting advances in ovarian cancer treatment paradigm, and several other medication types, including biologic and targeted therapies and immunotherapies, that are being utilized in conjunction with chemotherapy.

Key Takeaways

1. Ovarian cancer is most commonly managed with surgery and chemotherapy.

2. We usually choose surgery first if we determine that the patient is healthy enough and that there is a high likelihood that we can remove all visible cancer.

3. The majority of stage one and two patients are treated with surgery.

4. For stage three and four patients, treatment may include surgery, then chemotherapy, or chemotherapy, then surgery followed by chemotherapy again.

5. Even if diagnosed in early stage, the majority of ovarian cancer patients need chemotherapy.