Types of treatment used for cancer of the ovary

A number of different types of treatment are used to treat ovarian cancer. These include surgery, chemotherapy and possibly radiotherapy.

Treatment planning

In most hospitals a team of specialists will work together to decide which treatment is best for you. This multidisciplinary team (MDT) will include:

• a surgeon who specialises in gynaecological cancers
• a clinical or medical oncologist (chemotherapy and radiotherapy specialist) and may include a number of other healthcare professionals such as:
• a gynaecological oncology nurse specialist
• dietitian
• physiotherapist
• occupational therapist
• psychologist or counsellor.

Your doctor will plan your treatment by taking into consideration a number of things including your age, general health, how well your kidneys are working, the type and size of the tumour, what it looks like under the microscope and whether it has spread beyond the ovary.

Giving your consent

Before you have any treatment, your doctor will explain the aims of the treatment to you. You will usually be asked to sign a form saying that you give your permission (consent) for the hospital staff to give it.

No medical treatment can be given without your consent, and before you are asked to sign the form you should have been given full information about:

• the type and extent of the treatment you are advised to have
• the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment
• any possible alternative treatments that may be available
• any significant risks or side effects of the treatment.

If you do not understand what you have been told, let the staff know straight away so that they can explain again. Some cancer treatments are complex, so it is not unusual for people to need repeated explanations.

It is often a good idea to have a friend or relative with you when the treatment is explained, to help you remember the discussion more fully.

Patients often feel that the hospital staff are too busy to answer their questions, but it is important for you to be aware of how the treatment is likely to affect you. The staff should be willing to make time for you to ask questions. You can talk to the specialist gynaecological nurse at the hospital or with the nurses at CancerBACUP.

You can always ask for more time to decide about the treatment if you feel that you can’t make a decision when it is first explained to you.

You are also free to choose not to have the treatment. The staff can explain what may happen if you do not have it. It is essential to tell a doctor, or the nurse in charge, immediately so that they can record your decision in your medical notes.

You do not have to give a reason for not wanting to have treatment, but it can be helpful to let the staff know your concerns so that they can give you the best advice.