Ovarian Cancer Treatment

If your doctor says that you have ovarian cancer, ask to be referred to a gynecologic oncologist—a doctor who has been trained to treat cancers of a woman's reproductive system. This doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan.

Types of Treatment

There are several ways to treat ovarian cancer. The treatment depends on the type of ovarian cancer and how far it has spread. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. People with ovarian cancer often get more than one kind of treatment.

• Surgery: Doctors cut out and remove cancer tissue in an operation.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to shrink or kill the cancer. The drugs could be pills or medicines given through an IV (intravenous) tube. Sometimes chemotherapy includes both IV drugs and pills.
• Radiation: Radiation uses high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to try to kill the cancer cells. The rays are aimed at the part of the body where the cancer is.

Visit NCI's PDQ for more information about treatments for Ovarian Cancer.

These treatments may be provided by different doctors on your medical team. Gynecologic oncologists are doctors who have been trained to treat cancers of a woman's reproductive system. Surgeons are doctors who perform operations. Medical oncologists are doctors who are experts in cancer and treat cancers with medicines. Radiation oncologists are doctors who treat cancers with radiation.

Clinical Trials

People with ovarian cancer may want to take part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials study new potential treatment options. Visit the sites listed below for more information about clinical trials.

• Clinical Trials (NCI)
• ClinicalTrials.gov
• Clinical Trials (American Cancer Society)

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

For information, visit NCI's Complementary and Alternative Medicine.