Treatment for ovarian cancer

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your physical and mental health when preparing for treatment. In the hospital, preparing for treatment is also called prehabilitation or prehab.

A team of health professionals decides what treatment you need. This depends on factors such as your cancer stage and grade. 

Most women with ovarian cancer have surgery. Find out about the different types and what happens.

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to destroy cancer. You might have it after surgery, or both before and after. 

Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to kill ovarian cancer cells. You don't often have it for ovarian cancer. 

Targeted cancer drugs change the way that cells work and help the body control the growth of cancer.

You usually have appointments and tests every few months to begin with. Tests include blood tests, x-rays and scans.

The main treatment is chemotherapy if your cancer comes back. Some people might have surgery or targeted cancer drugs. 

You might have treatment to shrink and control your cancer and help you feel better.

You might have a build up of fluid in your tummy (abdomen). Your doctor will take a sample of this fluid to check for cancer cells.