Ovarian cancer is usually in the advanced stage at the time of diagnosis with survival depending on the degree to which the cancer has spread. Combination therapy with the chemotherapeutic agent, paclitaxel is often followed. Frequently, a second exploratory surgery is indicated at 6 months following the first surgery. However, chemotherapy and cure rates decline if the cancer is still present. Follow-up therapy should include pelvic examinations and analysis for tumor associated antigen in the blood at 3 to 4 month intervals for 3 years.
Ovarian cancer is more common in sexually inactive women.
The incidence of cervical cancer increases with the number of sexual partners, use or steroids and tobacco use. Symptoms include post-coital bleeding, bloody discharge, abdominal pain, and in advanced cases pain which extends to the leg. The primary method of treatment is radiation therapy, occasionally combined with chemotherapy. In patients who do not desire to have children, hysterectomy may offer a reasonable treatment alternative. Follow up exams, including pap smears should be performed at three month intervals with a chest x-ray performed yearly.