ovarian cancer Stages and Treatment
The ovaries are the female reproductive glands.
Ovaries consist of three types of cells: epithelial, germ and stroma. When the cells in the ovaries grow abnormally, they develop into tumours that can be non cancerous or cancerous.
If cancerous tumours are not detected early, the cancer cells can spread from the ovaries throughout the pelvic region and continue to spread to the abdominal area and other organs.
Stages of ovarian cancer:
Determining the stage of ovarian cancer is very important in developing a treatment plan.
- Stage one, cancer is limited to one or both of the ovaries.
- Stage two, ovarian cancer extends to the pelvis area.
- Stage three, ovarian cancer has spread to the abdominal region.
- Stage four, ovarian cancer extends into the liver or to locations beyond the abdominal area.
Treatment of ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer treatment typically includes:
• surgery.
• Chemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy.
• Combination of therapies.
Treatment of ovarian cancer
Treatment of ovarian cancer is based on the type and stage of your cancer and other important factors. The main treatments for ovarian cancer are surgery and chemotherapy. Your treatment plan may include both of these options.
You may also receive one or more of the following treatments
• Targeted therapy.
• Immunotherapy.
• Radiation therapy.
• Hormone therapy.
Surgical treatment
Surgery to remove the tumour is often the first step in your treatment plan. The goal of surgery is to treat your cancer by removing as much of the tumour as possible. If you have epithelial ovarian cancer, the goal is also to stage your cancer.
Surgery includes removal of one or both of the ovaries. The affected fallopian tubes may also be removed. If the uterus is removed, surgery may include taking the cervix.
To remove as much cancer as possible the surgeon may need to take tissue from beyond the reproductive system. Lymph nodes, or the omentum, which is the apron of tissue that covers your stomach and intestine, may be taken. Surgery may also involve taking tissue from nearby organs, such as the bladder, stomach or colon.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to fight cancer. The drugs enter your blood stream and travels throughout your body .chemotherapy works by killing cancer cells or stopping them from dividing. Healthy cells in the body may also be affected, leading to side effects.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a treatment for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. It targets the part of cancer cells that makes them different from normal cells. These drugs change the way cancer cells divide, grow and repair themselves. As a result, the tumour may stop growing or even shrink. Nearby healthy cells may also be affected, leading to side effects.
Immuno-oncology (immunotherapy)
Immunotherapy helps your immune system fight cancer. These treatments strengthen your immune system so that it can find an attack cancer cells or stop them from growing.
Other modalities of treatment in cancer ovary are radiation therapy and hormone therapy. They are used less frequently.
Your doctor may prescribe a combination of these treatments.
Discuss with your doctor any questions you have about your treatment plan or side effects.
Be sure to take your medications as directed by your doctor.
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