Ovarian cancer treatment comes in many forms. Often, an oncologist will combine treatment methods, personalizing the patient’s treatment plan to be as effective as possible and cause minimal side effects. Here is some information you may want to know about meeting with an oncologist for ovarian cancer treatment.
An oncologist is a medical provider who focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Since there are various types of cancer, oncologists typically specialize in different categories of cancer. For instance, gynecologic oncologists treat cancers affecting the female reproductive system, such as ovarian cancer.
An oncologist plays a key role in ovarian cancer treatment. Although it is possible to detect cancer during a screening with one’s primary care provider, the oncologist performs additional testing to confirm the diagnosis and stage the cancer (i.e., identifying whether it has spread to other areas). This testing may include blood work, imaging tests, and biopsies.
Next, the oncologist will create a personalized treatment plan, deliver it, and monitor symptoms throughout it. Adjustments may be necessary as the patient moves through treatment, such as to minimize unwanted side effects. Further, the oncologist will confirm whether the cancer has gone into remission.
Due to the complexity of cancer, there are several possible treatment approaches. For ovarian cancer, an oncologist may recommend local or systemic treatments. Local treatments focus on the tumor itself, while systemic treatments affect the entire body. In many cases, it is necessary to incorporate both local and systemic treatments to ensure the cancer cells have been completely eliminated.
Local treatments for ovarian cancer include surgery to remove the cancer and radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. Let us explore these two approaches:
Surgeries
Per the American Cancer Society (ACS), surgery is the most common ovarian cancer treatment. It usually involves removing the uterus (hysterectomy), ovaries and fallopian tubes (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy), and omentum (omentectomy).
If the patient is aiming to have children and the cancer is contained to one ovary, it is possible to remove only one ovary and fallopian tube. Hence, the patient still has a chance of conceiving children. That said, it is likely that the remaining ovary, fallopian tube, and uterus will require removal after having children to reduce the chances of the cancer coming out of remission.
Radiation therapies
External beam radiation therapy is a nonsurgical local treatment that aims to kill cancer cells through focused beams of radiation. Per the ACS, the patient will essentially receive strong X-rays a few minutes a day, five days a week. Treatment must last several weeks to be effective.
Internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy, is also an option. In this approach, a device that emits radiation is placed near the cancer, right inside the body.
Systemic treatments for ovarian cancer may be done before surgery to shrink the tumor (debulk it) or afterward to ensure all cancer cells have been eliminated. Alternatively, they may be done on their own or in combination with one another. Examples of systemic treatments include:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is perhaps the most well-known cancer treatment. For ovarian cancer, oncologists typically combine two chemo drugs: cisplatin or carboplatin and paclitaxel or docetaxel. They can be delivered intravenously, in pill form, or through a catheter. While they are highly effective in killing cancer cells, they also attack healthy cells.
Targeted drug therapy
As the name suggests, targeted drug therapy uses drugs that attack cancer cells specifically. They achieve this by identifying specific parts of cancer cells that healthy cells do not have. Bevacizumab, for example, targets proteins called VEGF that are key to helping ovarian cancer cells grow and multiply.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy works by blocking the production of certain hormones that contribute to the patient’s cancer. For ovarian cancer, it focuses on limiting or blocking estrogen production.
An oncologist will personalize treatment according to the patient’s specific stage and type of ovarian cancer. As mentioned, they may recommend one or several of the treatments mentioned above. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and voice any concerns while developing their treatment plan, including incorporating other avenues of treatment like clinical trials.
If you suspect you have ovarian cancer, consult an oncologist for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Our team at Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center provides a variety of ovarian cancer treatment options in Marlton. Let us help you explore your options. Simply call us today for an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://lindenbergcancer.com or call Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center at (856) 475-0876 for an appointment in our Marlton office.
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