Ovarian Cancer Chemotherapy

Ovarian cancer is the very common cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Chemotherapy is the better and very effective treatment to cure it. It is often given after surgery if the cancer was not removed at operation or if there is any high risk of tiny cancer cells left behind.



For ovarian cancer, chemotherapy treatment can be given after surgery as well as before surgery. This treatment is given for early stage of ovarian cancer to reduce the chance of cancer comeback. Chemotherapy uses one or more several drugs to kill cancer cells and they work by stopping the reproduction and division of cancer cells. Sometimes combination of drugs is also used to get better results.



The anti cancer drugs kill the remaining cancer cells after treatment or stop the growth or spread of tumors. Drugs can be given by direct injection into a vein, as pill and through catheter that enters the bloodstream and travel through out the body.



Chemotherapy depends on your weight, height and the function of your kidney. It is given in stages. For first stage and above that, it is very common practice. You have to receive drugging six times for at least six weeks separately.



There are many drugs available today that can treat recurrences effectively. Chemotherapy gives various side effects but there are many new medications available to reduce these side effects. Chemotherapy is the main treatment for ovarian cancer beyond stage first.



There is no guarantee that the cancer will not comeback after chemotherapy, but it can reduce the chance of reappearing. The risk of reappearing of cancer depends on each woman's situation. Your doctor can help you to know whether it will comeback or not. It is the only treatment that can reduce the risk of cancer if there is any little chance of your cancer coming back.



For ovarian cancer chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin and paraplatin used. Except these drugs such as topotecan, liposomal doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, etoposide, ifosfamide, hexamethylmelamine etc are also used.



However there maybe some unwanted side effects including kidney failure and nerve damage due to these drugs. Every woman needs to consult with their doctor about the individual chance of the cancer coming back and option of curing it without chemotherapy.