The silent killer---this is the term used to describe ovarian cancer, a disease that is usually not detected until it has spread to other areas of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. When detected in its early stages, the American Cancer Society says that nine out of 10 women will live longer than 5 years following diagnosis. The latest treatments for ovarian cancer can help contribute to positive survival rates.
Surgery
Ovarian cancer surgery serves two purposes. First, a portion of the cancerous tissue is removed to stage the cancer. This not only determines its severity at the site of the tumor, but also determines how far from the ovaries the cancer has spread. This can include examination of the fatty tissue and surrounding lymph nodes. This information is needed by the doctor to determine the best course of treatment after surgery.
Next, surgery is used to remove the tumor, also known as debulking. The American Cancer Society states that the goal of debulking is to leave tumors no larger than 1cm. These can be treated with a combination of various treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. A 3 to 7 day hospitalization period is typically required after this procedure.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy incorporates the use of drugs to destroy cancerous cells which have spread throughout the body. Because of the way it is administered, these drugs travel through the blood stream destroying any cancer cells that may be hiding along the way. These drugs also destroy healthy cells, however, resulting in some unpleasant side effects. The side effects that are experienced vary according to the drugs used, and according to the patient. Some of the most commonly reported include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, temporary hair loss and a decrease in white or red blood cell counts. The chemotherapy drugs are typically given via an IV (through a needle inserted in a vein) or by mouth. The length of treatment and number of sessions depends on the severity of your condition.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill or shrink tumors, and may be administered from outside the body (external beam) or from inside the body (brachytherapy). In some cases, your doctor might choose to use radiation therapy prior to surgery to shrink the tumor, increasing the chances of successfully removing most or all of the tumor during debulking.
The Oncology Channel states that radiation therapy is not commonly used in the United States for ovarian cancer because, in many cases, the cancer is detected in late stages after it has spread to the abdominal area. For radiation to be effective, all cancer cells must fall within the radiation field. Organs such as the liver and kidneys, however, might not be able to handle the the doses required.
In cases when radiation can be used, patients may experience skin irritation at the site where the therapy is delivered. It could be sore to touch and appear as a sunburn. This area typically heals within 6 to 12 months after therapy ends.
