What are the treatment options for (epithelial) ovarian cancer?
Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiotherapy. The treatment advised for each case depends on various factors such as the stage and grade of the cancer, and your general health.
You should have a full discussion with a specialist who knows your case. They will be able to give the pros and cons, likely success rate, possible side-effects, and other details about the various possible treatment options for your type and stage of cancer.
You should also discuss with your specialist the aims of treatment. For example:
- In some cases, treatment aims to cure the cancer. (Doctors tend to use the word 'remission' rather than the word 'cured'. Remission means there is no evidence of cancer following treatment. If you are 'in remission', you may be cured. However, in some cases a cancer returns months or years later. This is why doctors are sometimes reluctant to use the word cured.)
- In some cases, treatment aims to control the cancer. If a cure is not realistic, with treatment it is often possible to limit the growth or spread of the cancer so that it progresses less rapidly. This may keep you free of symptoms for some time.
- In some cases, treatment aims to ease symptoms. For example, if a cancer is advanced then you may require treatments such as painkillers or other treatments to help keep you free of pain or other symptoms. Some treatments may be used to reduce the size of a cancer which may ease symptoms such as pain.
Where to next?
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Grading of the cancer cells
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How is (epithelial) ovarian cancer diagnosed and assessed?
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Ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary)
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Smear test confusion after Jade's death
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What are the ovaries?
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What are the symptoms of (epithelial) ovarian cancer?
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What are the treatment options for (epithelial) ovarian cancer?
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What are the treatment options for (epithelial) ovarian cancer?
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What causes (epithelial) ovarian cancer?
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What is ovarian cancer?
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What is the prognosis (outlook)?


