Treat Ovarian Cancer
Statistics suggest that ovarian cancer strikes about 22,000 women annually. A woman's chances of survival hinge on the identification of effective ovarian cancer treatment protocols.
Instructions
1. Consult with your doctor about surgical options. If the cancer has not spread, a doctor may recommend a hysterectomy. Debulking is a surgical procedure used when ovarian cancer has spread to other areas of the abdomen.
2. Visit with a gynecologic oncologist to discuss chemotherapy options. Determine which drugs you'll use and discuss side effects. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy, comprised of two drugs.
3. Review options for chemotherapy administration. Systemic chemotherapy, which is administered orally or through an intravenous line, is good for metastatic cancer since it goes directly into the bloodstream. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which is administered directly into the abdomen through a catheter, is another option that has extended the lives of patients.
4. Talk to your doctor about your eligibility for clinical trials, which involves testing new drugs which may be effective in treating your cancer. There are risks involved and participation doesn't guarantee that you'll get the drug.
5. Schedule regular appointments to have your blood tested after surgery. Blood tests, which reveal levels of the cancer marker CA-125, can reveal if the treatment is working.
6. Consider making appointments with nutritionists, acupuncturists or other alternative therapy experts if you're interested in pursuing alternative or complimentary treatments. Remember that most alternative treatments are not endorsed by cancer specialists.
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