Ovaries form the major part of the female reproductive system. They are responsible for releasing the eggs for pregnancy, into the fallopian tubes and producing estrogen and progesterone, the female hormones. The exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown. But some of the factors include high intake of alcohol and fatty foods, childhood mumps infection and exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of ovarian cancer include a bloated stomach, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion and pain in the abdomen, back, legs and pelvis. Sometimes the patient might also experience shortness of breath, unusual vaginal bleeding, bleeding after menopause and a feeling to urinate frequently. The diagnosis of ovarian cancer includes physical exam, pelvic exam, ultrasound, biopsy and some blood tests. Options of treatment for ovarian cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

It is the most preferred option of treatment for ovarian cancer. Surgery can be performed in the early stages as well as in the less advanced stages. Sometimes, it is combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy to shrink the cancerous cells present in the ovaries. There are different types of surgeries performed by the oncologists. The type of surgery performed depends on the extent to which the cancerous cells are spread inside the patient’s body. For the patient’s whose cancer is detected in the early stages, either unilateral oophorectomy (removal of one of the ovaries), bilateral oophorectomy (removal of both the ovaries), salpingectomy (removal of fallopian tubes) or hysterectomy (removal of uterus) is performed. Sometimes, unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, where one of ovaries and the corresponding fallopian tube are removed, might be preferred by the oncologist. This also depends on the patient’s wish and the extent to which the cancer has spread in that area. This method is specially opted by the young women, who have the desire for pregnancy in their future. In other cases, salpingo-oophorectomy or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, where both the ovaries and the fallopian tubes are removed, is preferred to kill the cancer present inside the ovaries. Laparotomy is performed in the advanced stages. In this method, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, omentum and the nearby lymph nodes are removed by giving an incision in the wall of the abdomen. Side effects include night sweats and vaginal dryness. This is mainly observed in the women who have not undergone their menopause yet.

Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy as an option of treatment for cancer of this type is usually given after surgery to kill the remaining cancerous cells. Different combinations of drugs, in the form of injections, pills, etc are used to kill the cancerous cells left inside the body of the patient. Sometimes, these drugs are also administered in the form of a small tube which is inserted inside the patient’s body through the abdomen. It is given in the form on chemotherapy cycles, where the patient has to go to the chemotherapy center or the hospital to take the drugs. These cycles are followed by a rest period, so that the drugs given do not affect the healthy cells badly. If given in the form of pills, then the patient has to meet the concerned oncologist for regular checkups. Side effects of chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer include hair loss, bleeding, tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, lip sores and mouth sores.

Radiation Therapy for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

This method of treatment for ovarian cancer makes use of high energy x-rays or other radiations to kill the cancerous cells present in the ovaries of the patient. These radiations are passed into the body of the patient, through a machine. This method is mostly not preferred to kill the cancerous cells present in the ovaries but is used to relieve the patient from the pain associated with the cancer of this type. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and blood in stools, reddish skin and dry skin.

These were the options of treatment for ovarian cancer. Though this type of cancer cannot be detected in the early stages, the methods of treatment are effective and also promise the patient with a prolonged life. Sadly, there is no alternative treatment for ovarian cancer, hence a patient is advised any one of the above given treatment options.