The doctor needs to know the stage of the disease to plan further treatment. Refractory disease means the cancer is no longer responding to treatment. Treatment option overview How cancer of the ovary is treated There are treatments for all patients with cancer of the ovary. An aggressive approach to tumor debulking is important in ovarian cancer, since removal of the maximum amount of tumor is associated with improved survival. The procedure is best performed by a qualified gynecologic oncologist, who is a gynecologic surgeon with specialized training in pelvic cancers.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
It may be taken by pill or put into the body by inserting a needle into a vein. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drugs enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and kill cancer cells outside the ovaries. Chemotherapy can also be given by a needle put through the abdominal wall into the peritoneum. Treatment by stage Treatment of cancer of the ovary depends on the stage of the disease, the type of disease, and the patient's age and overall condition. Treatment may be received as part of an ongoing clinical trial for ovarian cancer.