Ovarian cancer is the result of cells within the ovaries developing genetic mutations that cause them to grow abnormally quickly. Treatment for ovarian cancer works at stopping the growth and progression of this cancer, though in some cases the cancer can come back, leading to recurrent ovarian cancer.
Timing of Recurrence
CancerConsultants.com explains that one major factor that guides the treatment of an ovarian cancer recurrence is how long the cancer was in remission. If the cancer was in remission for an extended period of time, it increases the chance that the recurrent cancer can also be destroyed. Recurrence soon after the initial round of treatments, however, carries a poorer prognosis because the cancer cells are more aggressive.
Location
Another factor that can determine how recurrent ovarian cancer is treated is the location of the recurrence. Ovarian cancer, according to CancerHelp UK, can spread throughout the abdomen into the bowels, the bladder and the liver. Occasionally the cancer can invade the kidneys or the lungs. The farther the ovarian cancer has spread, the worse the prognosis.
Treatment Options
CancerConsultants explains that there are three treatments that are commonly used for recurrent ovarian cancer. Surgery can be performed to reduce any visible cancer. Radiation treatment can also be used to destroy the cancer cells that remain. Chemotherapy can also be used to kill off the recurrent cancer cells. CancerHelp UK explains that patients with recurrent cancer therapy often receive pacliaxel, doxorubicin and topotecan. Generally, if the patient was given a chemotherapy drug before she will not receive it as a treatment for the recurrent cancer (because the recurrent cancer is likely resistant to that drug).
Risks vs. Benefits
In some cases, a major part of deciding whether to pursue a course of treatment depends on the benefits of the treatment versus the risks and side effects. For some patients, aggressive chemotherapy, radiation and surgical treatment will only extend the patient's life by a few months but will cause a severely decreased quality of life. In these cases, the physician and the patient have to decide whether the treatment is worthwhile.
Experimental Treatments
Johns Hopkins reports that there are some novel medications that are being developed to treat recurrent ovarian cancer. Ovarian tumors typically have a lot of blood vessels. Drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors work to block the formation of new blood vessels and are being used in clinical trials to help treat highly vascular tumors such as recurrent ovarian cancer.
