Cancer is the out-of-control growth of cells. They can make it hard for nearby, healthy tissue to work as it should. Cancer can also spread to other parts of the body.
Ovarian cancer starts and grows in the ovaries. It may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted and hormonal therapies.
Ovarian cancer is staged from 1 to 4. Stage 1 cancer is only found in a small, local area. Stage 4 cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Tests will find the stage of cancer and other traits. These may affect how it is treated. You may need:
Treatment options will depend on the stage and type of cancer, your age, and your health. It often involves more than one method. This may mean:
Cancer and cancer treatment can cause a range of symptoms. To help manage them:
If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit.
A cancer diagnosis can be stressful. Seek support from your family and friends. Cancer counselors and support groups may also help.
Your care team will need to check on your progress. Be sure to go to all advised appointments.
Call your doctor if you are having problems managing symptoms or you have:
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
https://www.acog.org
Canadian Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.ca
Women's Health Matters—Women's College Hospital
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca
Laparotomy. Better Health Channel website. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/laparotomy. Accessed May 5, 2021.
Ovarian cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/cancer/en/cancer/ovarian-cancer. Accessed May 5, 2021.
Ovarian cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/ovarian-cancer. Accessed May 5, 2021.
Ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/ovarian/patient/ovarian-epithelial-treatment-pdq. Accessed May 5, 2021.
Patient education: teaching the patient with cancer. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Accessed May 5, 2021.
Last reviewed March 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Nicole Meregian, PA