Surgeries for Advanced and Recurrent Ovarian Cancers
Ovarian Cancer Surgery | Dr. Geetha Nagasree
Ovarian cancer can be persistent, refractory, or recurring. Some patients who have tested positive and been treated may face this problem. In some cases, following initial treatment, cancer can recur. Oncologists, therefore, recommend surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Some patients respond well to systemic treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and treatment with poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors or other precision medicines.
Ovarian cancer tends to recur in patients who have been treated for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.
Those who experience continued or progressive growth of cancer during treatment are said to have REFRACTORY CANCER.
The Role of Surgery
Ovarian cancer surgery: The prognosis is poor for such patients. For the treatment of advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer, surgery plays a role. It is especially helpful prior to beginning chemotherapy. In general, the treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Additional surgery to remove recurrent cancer combined with systemic therapy appears to further improve survival when compared to treatment with systemic therapy alone.
Systemic therapy
Surgery is the baseline or the first-line treatment for any type of ovarian cancer. In addition, if the cancer has spread to other tissues and organs of the body, systemic therapy is recommended. It involves the use of precision cancer medicines, targeted therapies, and chemotherapy. Furthermore, a combination of therapies involving a combination therapy or immunotherapy is suggested. All these treatments—to a large extent—depend on the effectiveness of the surgical treatment, the duration for which chemotherapy is administered, and how far the cancer has recurred.
Selection of Chemotherapeutic Agents
For effective treatment, oncologists recommend chemotherapeutic agents. The assays may help in the selection of the best chemotherapeutic agents. Tumor samples or ascitic fluid are sent to the laboratory for assay. An expert pathologist cultures tumor cells in media that contain a wide range of chemotherapeutic agents. Next, they select agents that have good efficacy and potential against some stubborn cancerous cells. It is also helpful in avoiding chemical agents that are associated with extreme drug resistance.
Bottom Line
Ovarian cancer surgery often offers relief to patients if they have recurrent ovarian cancer. In general, patients with recurrent, persistent, or refractory ovarian cancer can benefit from treatments that involve surgery and salvage therapy (a second-line systemic therapy). However, treatment options largely depend on the type, nature, and behavior of the cancer. Based on whether the cancer is recurrent, persistent, or refractory, treatment options differ.
In most of the primary ovarian cancer patients, surgery is the backbone of multimodal therapies. In almost all cases, the effectiveness of all types of cancer treatments, to a large extent—depends on the success of the surgery and the post-surgical outcome. Despite grading and several other tumor factors, surgical outcome is the single most important prognostic tool for halting the progression and recurrence and improving survival.
Dr. Geetha Nagasree has more than 20 years of extensive experience in performing advanced and complicated ovarian cancer surgeries. For the most effective treatment of ovarian cancer, meet her once for a one-to-one discussion.
