Ovarian Cancer Treatment

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OVARIAN CANCER

Ovarian Cancer

TEN THINGS TO DO NOW:

1) Find a gynecologic oncologist

2) Understand that the quality of your surgery can make a major difference

3) Consider reviewing your pathology report

4) Speak up and ask questions (make notes to take with you)

5) Connect with other ovarian cancer survivors

6) Consider clinical trials

7) Tap into ovarian cancer organizations and other cancer related resources

8) Tell your family, friends, and coworkers

9) Get a support system in place to help you through treatment and recovery

10) If you need professional help in order to cope, ask for it

SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH OVARIAN CANCER

A feeling of being bloated or notice clothing doesn’t fit well
Vague abdominal pain and pelvic discomfort
Unexplained fatigue or back pain
Gastrointestinal symptoms
A frequent urge to urinate
A change in bowel habits
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Loss of appetite and feeling full after a light meal
Unusual weight gain or loss
Pain during intercourse
Shortness of breath

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that either kill caner cells or preventing cells from dividing. Everyone has heard horror stories of having chemotherapy but many people keep right on working and neither are sick or lose their hair. Everyone’s toleration is different.

Radiation therapy is the use of certain types of energy (radiation is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation can be given internally or externally).

If you need professional help in order to cope, ask for it Many times, several different types of treatment will be used. It is not uncommon for a patient to have surgery and radiation.

Treatment for ovarian cancer varies from patient to patient to patient and there is a variety of treatment methods. Many times, several different types of treatment will be used. It is not uncommon for a patient to have surgery and radiation. A few of the factors are:

General health of the patient

The type of ovarian cancer

The stage of the ovarian cancer

Different types of surgery may be suggested by your physician:

1) Total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and the cervix removed through a small abdominal incision or through the vagina)

2) Unilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (removes one ovary and one fallopian tube)

3) Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (removes both ovaries and both fallopian tubes)

4) Omentectomy (removes the omentum which is a piece of tissue that lines the abdominal wall)

5) Lymph Node Biopsy (removal of all or part of the lymph nodes to be examined)

6) Debulking Surgery (removal of the cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tube, and the omentum as ovarian cancer commonly occurs in these areas)

Trust is very important in your fight with cancer. If you do not feel totally comfortable with your doctor, look for another one. Ask family and friends if they personally know of a very reliable cancer doctor. Check around the nearest hospital and ask nurses or cancer patients that have just had ovarian cancer. And whichever doctor you decide on, make sure all of your questions receive answers that will help you make decisions. It is your body and your future.

It’s difficult to think rationally when you have been hit with the facts so take a notebook with you, as you will probably have a hard time remembering what the doctor said. In fact, keep a notebook with you through the whole ordeal fighting cancer. You can make notes on how you feel physically and mentally, write down any questions you may still have, write down information such as your doctors name and phone number.

Every hospital can put you in touch with a support grouping your area. Cancer survivors are more than happy to discuss with you anything you may want to know. They can help you in so many ways that they can be your lifeline all the way through your treatment. Most of them have studied ovarian cancer so they could make the best decision for themselves. Also ask them which doctor they had.