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.
Clinical trials are ongoing in most parts of the country for most stages of cancer of the ovary.
If a clinical trial is not available, or the patient chooses not to participate, treatments are available that are considered standard based on their performance in prior clinical trials. All women who have ovarian cancer should have carefully performed surgical staging. Clinical trials are currently evaluating several treatment options.