An operation called a laparotomy is done for almost all patients to find out the stage of the disease. A doctor must cut into the abdomen and carefully look at all the organs to see if they contain cancer. The doctor needs to know the stage of the disease to plan further treatment. Stage III Cancer is found in 1 or both ovaries and has spread to lymph nodes or to other body parts inside the abdomen, such as the surface of the liver or intestine. Stage IV Cancer is found in 1 or both ovaries and has spread outside the abdomen or has spread to the inside of the liver.
Refractory disease means the cancer is no longer responding to treatment.
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.