Treatment options

These are constantly improving for ovarian cancer and usually include at least two or three of the following.

Surgery: “This usually involves taking out the entire ovary,” explains Elizabeth Cooch, specialist cancer nurse from Ovarian Cancer Australia. “In some cases the fallopian tubes and uterus (including the cervix) may also need to be removed a well as other tissue if the cancer has spread.” After surgery, tissue-sampling tests confirm the cancer diagnosis and how aggressive it is. Chemotherapy: This is used after surgery to try to eliminate all disease identified by scans and the CA125 blood test.

Radiation therapy: Aims to reduce any possible cancer cells that have spread to the pelvis or other sites in the body. It may be used on its own or after chemotherapy.

Biologicals: This newer breed of drugs is showing great promise in treating ovarian cancer, particularly if it has returned after surgery and chemo. “Biologicals can interfere with the signals or blood supply that make cancers grow or block the DNA repair in cancer cells,” says Cooch. “They may include immunotherapy drugs, which boost the body’s own immune system to fight against and kill cancer cells.”