The standard treatment option for ovarian cancer includes surgery and possibly chemotherapy.
The most common surgical procedure is the removal of the involved ovary, lymph nodes, and the fatty apron in the abdomen (omentum). Depending on the age of the patient, the other ovary and uterus might be removed. In cases of advanced ovarian cancer, other organs may also be removed.
The decision regarding chemotherapy is made based on the extent of the disease, which is identified at the time of surgery.
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
An
innovative treatment option available for Hoag ovarian cancer patients is Intraperitoneal
Chemotherapy (IP Chemo). Standard Chemotherapy can be administered in a variety
of ways including orally or intravenously – into a vein - whereas IP Chemo is
delivered directly to the peritoneal or abdominal cavity By targeting the
abdominal cavity and ovaries, IP Chemo limits exposure to healthy tissues.
How Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Works
Traditionally, Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer has been
given intravenously, but several studies have shown advantages to receiving IP
chemotherapy for women with advanced ovarian cancer. The primary way ovarian
cancer spreads is by releasing tumor cells in the abdominal cavity, which can
attach to other organs and form new tumors. IP chemo delivers concentrated
doses of chemotherapy directly to the abdominal area and ovaries. It is often
given in combination with intravenous chemotherapy. It is given through a port
or catheter, which is surgically implanted in the abdominal cavity. IP
chemotherapy can be administered in an office setting.
IP
chemotherapy should be given following surgical removal of all visible cancer,
as it is most effecting in treating microscopic disease. It is associated with
more side effects than intravenous chemotherapy. IP chemotherapy is most often
used at the time of diagnosis of ovarian cancer, but in some cases may be used
to treat recurrent cancer. Not every woman is a good candidate for IP chemo,
but it should be considered as an option.
Another
form of intraperitoneal treatment is Hyperthermic
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, or
HIPEC. This is a technique where heated chemotherapy is circulated for 90
minutes in the abdominal cavity. This is done under anesthesia in the operating
room and is typically given only once. It has traditionally been used in
treating colon cancer, and there is limited data on its effectiveness in
ovarian cancer. However, small studies have shown promising results. HIPEC can
be used in combination with a course of IP chemotherapy. For more details please contact a
Gynecologic Oncologist.
Patients who appear to have limited disease may be candidates for
Minimally Invasive Surgery with either the robot or the laparoscope
As the largest volume gynecologic robotic program in Orange County, and the first multidisciplinary program of its kind in Southern California, Hoag’s
Gynecologic Robotic Surgery Program utilizes the most advanced technology for minimally invasive surgery: The da Vinci Surgical System. Through the use of the da Vinci robot, Hoag’s expert team of physicians has greater mobility and visibility, allowing for a more precise surgery. The robot also provides many benefits to the patient, including: