Treatment overview

The main treatments for ovarian cancer are surgery| and chemotherapy|. Choosing the right treatment for you will depend on many factors, including the stage and grade of the cancer, and your age and general health. Once your specialist has all the details about your cancer he or she will be able to discuss the best treatment for your situation.

Though treatment varies according to each woman’s situation, generally:

• Surgery is the main treatment for most women with ovarian cancer. For women with very early ovarian cancer, surgery may be the only treatment needed.
• Chemotherapy is often given after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
• Sometimes, chemotherapy is given before the operation to make it easier to remove any tumours by shrinking them.
• If the cancer is very advanced or if a woman isn’t well enough for a major operation, chemotherapy may be the main treatment used.
• Radiotherapy is occasionally used if the cancer comes back or doesn’t respond to other treatments.
• Even if the cancer can’t be cured, treatment can shrink the cancer and relieve symptoms so that the person feels better.