Planning treatment for ovarian cancer

When a diagnosis of ovarian cancer has been made it’s important that the right treatment is planned. A team of specialists will meet to discuss and agree on the plan of treatment they feel is best for your situation. This multidisciplinary team (MDT) will include:

• A surgeon who specialises in gynaecological cancers called a gynaecological oncologist.
• A clinical or medical oncologist (to advise on chemotherapy).
• A radiologist (who analyses x-rays).
• A pathologist (who advises on the type and grade of the cancer, and how far it has spread).

The MDT may also include a number of other healthcare professionals such as a:

• gynaecological oncology nurse specialist
• dietitian
• physiotherapist
• occupational therapist
• psychologist or counsellor.

The government recommends that women with ovarian cancer be treated by a specialist gynaecological cancer team. These teams are based in larger cancer centres, so you may have to travel for your treatment.

The MDT will plan your treatment by taking into consideration a number of factors. This will include your age, general health, how well your kidneys are working, the type and size of the tumour, what it looks like under the microscope and whether it has spread beyond the ovary (the stage|).