Often, we can treat ovarian cancer using chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. Our goal is to treat the cancer in the most minimally invasive, effective way possible.
Treatment options for ovarian cancer include:
- Chemotherapy: These medicines directly kill cancer cells, much like antibiotics kill bacteria. Because the medicines also damage normal cells, side effects can occur, such as hair loss, nausea, or lowered blood counts. Fortunately, the body’s normal cells are more resilient and recover much better than cancer cells, so the side effects are usually temporary. We monitor you carefully and calculate your dose of chemotherapy to maximize effectiveness and minimize side effects. We use the latest, most innovative chemotherapy drugs.
- Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): This is a highly concentrated, heated chemotherapy treatment for late-stage abdominal cancers. Doctors deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells in the abdomen during surgery.
- Risk-reducing surgery: If you’re at risk for ovarian cancer due to genetic factors or family history, you may want to take every precaution possible. Talk to your physician about risk-reducing surgery. During this preventive surgery, we remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes. We usually use a laparoscopic approach, which is a minimally invasive form of surgery using small incisions, pioneered at the AHN Cancer Institute. It typically results in a quicker, easier recovery.
- Immunotherapy: This process stimulates the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. We use the latest immunotherapy drugs available.
- Clinical trials: Our oncology team meets monthly to discuss new clinical trials, ensuring you have access to the latest treatment options.
