How is ovarian cancer treated?

Given that ovarian cancer is among the leading causes of death in women, it is paramount that they know the symptoms and the treatment necessary to remove or manage this cancer. But knowing the symptoms is just half the battle, according to Dr. Matthew Boente MD. The symptoms of ovarian cancer mimic those of minor illnesses or are even natural signs of aging like lower back pains, weight gain, and a few more symptoms. Besides symptoms, women should also know the different treatment methods for ovarian cancer.

Currently, there are two major ways to treat ovarian cancer, one of which is surgery. This option is often for women who caught the disease during its earlier stages, where it hasn’t spread to nearby organs like the liver, spleen, or intestines. In a surgical procedure, surgeons can remove the affected areas such as the ovaries and the fallopian tube. There are cases where both ovaries are removed, as well as the entire uterus and nearby lymph nodes.

The second option is often given to patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Chemotherapy, explains Dr. Matthew Boente MD, “targets fast-growing cells, including cancer cells. This can either be done by injecting it in the vein or be taken orally. In the case of intraperitoneal chemotherapy, the drug is injected through the abdomen.

Other forms of therapy include targeted therapy where medication is used to target specific vulnerabilities within the cancer cells and is often reserved for when the cancer resists other treatments. While it is not yet an established form of treatment, there are several ongoing trials for new targeted therapy methods.

Dr. Matthew Boente MD is a leading ovarian expert. For more insightful reads on ovarian cancer, visit this website.