institute for cancer research

Ovarian Cancer Treatment Information

Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is a cancer that is not as easy to detect as early as other types of cancer because it usually has mild symptoms or more commonly:  no symptoms at all. Cancer treatment for women with ovarian cancer can be managed in several different ways depending on the stage of the disease and them woman’s general health.

There are three kinds of ovarian cancer and cancer treatment options vary. Cancer treatment depends on not only the stage and type of ovarian cancer  but on the woman’s general health as well as whether or not this is a recurring bout of cancer or the first time it has occurred.

Some women are more genetically predisposed to getting ovarian cancer than others. This can be due to a strong family history of the disease. Women who have had ovarian cancer also have a chance of a recurrence. Anyone who knows that they have relatives who have had this cancer should get screened by their doctor early and regularly. There are even procedures designed to help prevent it, depending on the woman’s desire to bear children.

The types of cancer of the ovaries are: stromal tumors which are rare, germ cell tumors and the most common type of cancer which is epithelial tumors. Detection of cancer of the ovaries can occur via several methods including: Pap smear, pelvic examination, ultrasound, barium enema, CT and several other methods as well.

Cancer treatment can depend on many factors and your individual reaction to various cancer treatments will not necessarily be the same as it is for others who have the exact same tumor and treatment. Some women choose a hysterectomy as a cancer treatment for ovarian cancer. Others try to find alternative options. Multiple approaches to cancer treatment can often be utilized with something such as surgery and radiation therapy, chemotherapy or other cancer drugs. Diet can also play a huge part in your recovery with therapies such as CAAT (controlled amino acid therapy) whereby cancer cells self destruct due to starvation of specific nutrients.   A multiple level approach is often your best course of action.

Your best line of defense is knowledge. Knowing about predisposition genetically can help you watch for symptoms and diagnose early. Knowledge about traditional and alternative cancer treatment options is also important. The better your knowledge level, the more opportunities you have to fight ovarian cancer or any other life threatening disease effectively.

© 2005 - Cancer Treatment - Prevention - Research - A.P.John Cancer Institute
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Download the A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research 2005 Brochure ( 29.2mb )