6. Surgery
It’s a common practice to opt for surgery to treat ovarian cancer. The nature and scope of the surgical approach rely on cancer’s stage.
In the initial phases, the surgical process typically involves the removal of one or both ovaries along with the fallopian tubes and uterus.
For progressive stages, the surgical objective is to eliminate as much cancerous tissue as possible.
The treatment options may vary based on the patient’s individual circumstances and medical history. It’s advisable to seek advice from a healthcare provider to assess the available options.
5. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a commonly used treatment for ovarian cancer, which involves administering drugs to target cancer cells. It may be given before or after surgery, and sometimes it is an alternative to surgery.
Although chemotherapy can be an effective means of eliminating cancer cells, it is not without side effects. These may include fatigue, hair loss, nausea, and vomiting, and their severity may vary depending on the patient and the drugs used.
4. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy can help treat ovarian cancer by focusing on killing the cancer cells and at the same time, saving the healthy tissues around it.
The drugs used in this particular type of therapy can shrink the tumor in the advanced stages of ovarian cancer. it can help relieve the symptoms brought about by the growth.
3. Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is a type of medical treatment that involves using prescription drugs to block the action or reduce the level of certain hormones in the body.
Some types of ovarian cancer cells can be stimulated by hormones like estrogen. When that happens, the cancer cells may grow and spread throughout the body. Hence, it could make the condition worse. By decreasing the amount of these hormones, hormone therapy can help to slow down or stop the progression of ovarian cancer.
2. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that harnesses the body’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. One form of immunotherapy for ovarian cancer involves the use of vaccines.
Immunotherapy can either improve the immune system’s capability to detect and eliminate cancer cells or modify the patient’s immune cells to target cancer.
It can be given alone or in conjunction with other therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation. Its effectiveness is influenced by various factors such as cancer’s stage, type, and overall health and immune function of the patient.
1. Supportive Care
Supportive care for ovarian cancer refers to medical care that aims to manage the symptoms and side effects of the disease and its treatment, as well as to improve the patient’s quality of life.
This type of care is often provided in addition to cancer-specific treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Supportive care for ovarian cancer aims to address the physical, emotional, and practical needs of patients and their families throughout the cancer journey.
These are ovarian cancer symptoms and treatments worth knowing.