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| Alternative Names: | Cancer - ovaries
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| Treatment: | Surgery is the preferred treatment and is frequently necessary for diagnosis. Studies have shown that surgery performed by a specialist in gynecologic oncology results in a higher rate of cure. Chemotherapy is used as after surgery to treat any residual disease. Chemotherapy can also be used to treat women who have a recurrence. Radiation therapy is rarely used in ovarian cancer in the United States.
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| Support Groups: | The stress of illness may be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.
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| Expectations (prognosis): | Ovarian cancer is rarely diagnosed in its early stages; it is usually quite advanced by the time diagnosis is made. The outcome is often poor. The 5-year survival rate for all stages is only 35% to 38%. If, however, diagnosis is made early in the disease, 5-year survival rates can reach 90% to 98%.
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| Complications: | - spread of the cancer to other organs
- progressive function loss of various organs
- ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
- blockage of the intestines
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| Calling your health care provider: | Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are a woman over 40 years old who has not recently had a Pap smear and pelvic examination. (Note: routine Pap smears and pelvic examinations are recommended for all women over 20 years old.)
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms appear which may be associated with this disease.
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Review Date: 7/23/2002
Reviewed By: Kevin Knopf, M.D., M.P.H., Hematologist/Oncologist and Director of Clinical Research, Annapolis Oncology/Hematology Center, Annapolis, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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