OVARIAN CANCER

Learn about ovarian cancer, including risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, stories from our community, and where to find support.

OVARIAN CANCER TREATMENT

There are a variety of differing factors that will impact how a particular ovarian cancer patient is treated. These include the type of ovarian cancer (there are 30 different subtypes of ovarian cancer), the stage of ovarian cancer, the patient’s age, their general health and fitness, and any genetic predispositions or faults.

HOW IS OVARIAN CANCER TREATED?

If you or a loved one have just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may have some questions such as, what is the most effective treatment for ovarian cancer? Can ovarian ovarian cancer be treated successfully? What is the first line of treatment for ovarian cancer?

Your doctor and/or gynaecological oncologist will determine which is the best course of treatment for you or a loved one. There are a number of common ovarian cancer treatment options that may be used either on their own, or in combination with another ovarian cancer treatment:

IS THERE AN OVARIAN CANCER VACCINE?

Unlike the cervical cancer vaccine known as the HPV vaccine, there is currently no preventative measure or vaccine for ovarian cancer.

According to the Cancer Council, cases of cervical cancer have significantly reduced due to a national screening program introduced into women’s habitual health routines in the early 1990s as well as the introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2007.

We are driven to see similar outcomes in ovarian cancer, by funding research projects that study prevention – one of the core pillars in our funding strategy.

Learn more about OCRF-funded preventative research projects here .

WHY IS OVARIAN CANCER SO TRICKY TO TREAT?

Learn more about the complexities of ovarian cancer treatment.

OVARIAN CANCER SURGERY

Depending on the type of ovarian cancer a person has been diagnosed with, surgery may be the first treatment option.

LAPAROTOMY FOR OVARIAN CANCER

Performed under general anaesthetic, a patient will receive a laparotomy, which involves one larger incision from the belly button to pubic line. A laparotomy will be conducted if there appears to be cancerous cells to remove any visible tumours – this is typically called ‘debulking’ or cytoreductive surgery.

BILATERAL SALPINGO-OOPHERECTOMY AND HYSTERECTOMY FOR OVARIAN CANCER

If the ovarian cancer is discovered in the advanced stages, a debulking surgery can mean the removal of reproductive organs such as ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix.

UNILATERAL SALPINGO-OOPHORECTOMY

If the ovarian cancer is found in the early stages and localised to one ovary, only one ovary and fallopian tube may be removed in a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy surgery.

CHEMOTHERAPY FOR OVARIAN CANCER

Chemotherapy or ‘chemo’ is made up of drugs that are toxic to cancer cells and is a very common way to treat ovarian cancer at various stages.

Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer can be administered through the bloodstream intravenously, orally by taking tablets or via injections into the area of concern.

Often, chemotherapy is given as cycles: a block treatment across consecutive days, with a break in between. A patient will usually receive numerous cycles that may be repeated daily, weekly or monthly. Typically, a patient will receive chemotherapy for ovarian cancer for 4-5 months.

As ovarian cancer has a high recurrence rate of 80%, maintenance chemotherapy may be recommended to help prevent ovarian cancer from returning.

PARP INHIBITOR TREATMENT FOR OVARIAN CANCER

PARP inhibitors are a relatively new treatment for ovarian cancer.

Adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase or PARP, is a protein that is responsible for the dividing and multiplication of cancer cells. PARP inhibitors target these proteins to slow the spread of ovarian cancer.

PARP inhibitors are generally administered via pills or capsules. How long a patient takes them depends on their diagnosis and type of ovarian cancer.

Learn more about PARP inhibitor research

Learn more about OCRF-funded researcher Professor Stacey Edwards’ research utilising PARP inhibitors to treat high-grade serous ovarian cancers.

Learn more

TARGETED THERAPY FOR OVARIAN CANCER

Targeted therapies, as the name suggests, are more specific in treatment than chemotherapy. As side effects of chemotherapy involve the loss of healthy cells, targeted therapies focus on cancer cells.

Targeted therapies for ovarian cancer can be given pre and post surgery, in combination with chemotherapy, as a second-line therapy or as a long term treatment option to stop ovarian cancer from returning or maintaining its growth rate.

Similarly to chemotherapy, there are multiple ways in which targeted therapies for ovarian cancer are administered: intravenously, via tablets or injections.

RADIATION FOR OVARIAN CANCER

Radiation therapy for ovarian cancer is a less common treatment and is used to destroy or damage ovarian cancer cells so they cannot grow or spread. As a localised treatment, healthy cells are less likely to be impacted.

Radiation therapy involves high energy x-ray beams targeting areas of concern. Radiation therapy for ovarian cancer can be given to patients in two ways: via external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), where a large, x-ray-like machine precisely aims beams to areas of the body where the cancer is located, or internal radiation therapy whereby a source is temporarily inserted into the body, injected or swallowed.

PALLIATIVE CARE FOR OVARIAN CANCER

Palliative care treatment has an aim to improve an ovarian cancer patient’s quality of life, managing any symptoms of the disease, without necessarily trying to cure the cancer.

Palliative treatment can be used on its own or in conjunction with other active treatment methods for ovarian cancer. It is important to understand that palliative treatment or care can be employed at any stage of someone’s ovarian cancer journey, not just for end of life care.

Palliative care for ovarian cancer patients involves not only the direct relief of pain and symptoms, but can also have a more holistic approach, by employing a team of professionals to meet a patient’s physical, emotional, social and cultural needs.

GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGIST & OVARIAN CANCER SPECIALISTS

Once a person is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it is recommended that they seek a gynaecological oncologist, someone who is an ovarian cancer specialist in the treatment and management of gynaecological cancers.

Your gynaecological oncologist will talk to you about your prognosis and treatment options based on your ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Why funding treatment-based ovarian cancer research is critical

Funding more treatment-based ovarian cancer research projects remains a core funding pillar for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Read more about the OCRF-funded research projects that could have considerable impact on those living with ovarian cancer today, and those diagnosed tomorrow.

Find out more