The gynaecological cancer team from the
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at
Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the
SingHealth group, shares the various ways ovarian cancer is treated and how you can lower your risk.
How is ovarian cancer treated?
According to the team, treating ovarian cancer generally involves surgery.
The type of surgery will depend on the stage and type of cancer. In the early stage of ovarian cancer, surgery may be the only treatment that is needed. However, in the advanced stages of the disease, a combination of surgery and chemotherapy is usually required.
Surgery for ovarian cancer
Surgery for ovarian cancer has two main goals. The first is to stage the cancer and determine how far it has spread from the ovary. As the treatment for ovarian cancer is different at different stages, proper staging is vital for effective treatment. The four stages of ovarian cancer are:
Stage 1: The tumour is limited to one or both ovaries and can be found on the surface of the ovary.
Stage 2: The tumour has invaded one or both ovaries and extended to the pelvic region but not to the abdomen.
Stage 3: The tumour has extended to the abdominal organs.
Stage 4: The cancer has spread to the lungs, liver or lymph nodes in the neck.
The second goal is to remove as much of the tumour as possible. This is known as debulking. Successful debulking surgery gives the patient a better outlook.
If the cancer is diagnosed at a very early stage where it’s confined to just one of the ovaries, only the affected ovary and adjoining fallopian tube need to be removed. With the unaffected ovary and womb left behind, you may still be able to have children in the future.
In most cases where the cancer has spread to the omentum (an apron of fat covering the abdominal contents), surgery will include removal of both ovaries, the uterus (womb), the fallopian tubes, nearby lymph nodes and the omentum. As a result, the patient begins her menopause immediately and is no longer able to conceive.
Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer
Chemotherapy involves injecting drugs into the bloodstream to reach all areas of the body with the aim of killing cancer cells that may have spread. A majority of women with ovarian cancer will require chemotherapy after surgery; however, it can also be given before surgery.
Treatment usually involves 6 courses of chemotherapy with each course given 3-4 weeks apart or alternatively a weekly regime for 3 weeks with a week break between courses.
Even after completion of chemotherapy, follow-up examinations are recommended every three months for the first two years and subsequently, every four to six months in the following years.
Can ovarian cancer be prevented?
Although some of the risk factors that increase a woman’s likelihood of developing ovarian cancer cannot be avoided, some factors actually have a protective effect. These include:
Avoid obesity – Excess body fat increases the risk of ovarian cancer. Eating healthily and engaging in regular exercise, especially during one’s teenage years, may play a preventive role.
Have regular health assessments – This is especially so for women at high risk such as those with a family history of ovarian cancer, or who are carrying the breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA 1) or breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA 2).
Having children, and breastfeeding them – Each full-term pregnancy reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding may help to lower the risk even further.
Using contraceptive pills – The longer a woman has used birth control pills, the lower her risk of ovarian cancer. This reduction continues for many years after the pill is stopped, and even taking the pill for only six months has an effect.
Click on the previous page to learn about the
causes, symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer.
Ref: P16
Check out other women's cancer articles:
Top 10 Cancers in Singapore (for Men and Women)
Breast Cancer: What Puts You at Risk?
Breast Cancer Screening: Your Best Protection
Tips to Keep Your Breasts Healthy
Endometrial Cancer: Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Ovarian Cancer: What Puts You at Risk?
Cervical Cancer: Symptoms, Screening and How to Prevent
Cancer Diet: Top Foods to Eat and Avoid When Undergoing Treatment
