The first step in the treatment of ovarian cancer is the surgical removal of cancerous tissue. This is often done during the initial surgery, when the cancer is first discovered. For early stage ovarian cancer (Stage 1), only the affected ovary may need to be removed. However, lymph nodes in the pelvis and para-aortic areas, and a fatty apron inside the abdomen, called the omentum, usually need to be removed as well. The surgical removal of an ovary is called an oophorectomy. If one ovary is retained, a woman of childbearing age does not usually experience early menopause after the surgery.

More commonly, ovarian cancer is diagnosed at a later stage and the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix are all removed. This procedure is called a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

For women with advanced ovarian cancer, chemotherapy is sometimes used both before and after surgery. This makes the complete removal of the tumour easier and more successful.

Along with the reproductive organs, the omentum and some lymph nodes from the abdomen may be removed. If there is evidence that the cancer has spread throughout the abdomen, the surgeon will usually attempt to remove as much of the cancer as possible. This is called tumour debulking.

After the Surgery

After the surgery, depending on whether you had a laparoscopic procedure or laparotomy, you may experience some pain and abdominal discomfort. (Laparoscopy is generally associated with less pain and a quicker recovery.) You may also feel nauseous and not feel like eating. These side effects are temporary and can be controlled. Talk to your doctors about how you can control your pain and nausea.

If you are of childbearing age, the removal of both of your ovaries will prompt the early onset of menopause and symptoms like hot flashes are likely to occur soon after surgery. The symptoms of menopause that occur after surgery are often more severe than the symptoms of a natural menopause. Your doctor may suggest hormone therapy (HT) to prevent or alleviate your symptoms. However, evidence that highlights some of the risks associated with HT make this a controversial subject. Discuss the risks and benefits of HT in your particular case with your doctor. Ultimately though, it is your choice whether or not to take hormones.

After the cancerous tissue is removed, chemotherapy is commonly recommended unless the cancer was in the earliest stages. Radiation therapy is not a commonly used treatment, but may also be a part of a woman's therapy. Click on the links below to learn more about these therapies.

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Monitoring your progress