Ovarian cancer is most often treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Only rarely is radiation therapy used. It is important to distinguish between early stage ovarian cancer and advanced disease because the treatment approaches are different. Your specific treatment plan will depend on several factors, including:
All treatments for ovarian cancer have side effects. Most side effects can be managed or avoided. Treatments may affect unexpected parts of your life, including your function at work or at home, intimate relationships, and deeply personal thoughts and feelings.
Before beginning treatment, it is important to learn about the possible sides effects. It’s also important to talk with your treatment team members about your feelings or concerns. They can prepare you for what to expect. They can also tell you which side effects should be reported to them immediately. And they can help you find ways to manage the side effects you experience.
You may find it helpful to make a list of your questions before seeing your doctor. Use the list of questions below as a starting place for the questions you might ask. To make it easier to remember what your doctor says, take notes during meetings. Or ask if you can use a tape recorder. It may also help to have a family member or friend with you. The other person can take part in the discussion, take notes, or just listen.
