Ovarian Cancer Treatment Options: What Every Woman Should Know

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance and treatment.

Advancements in Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Rapid progress in the past decade has focused on matching treatments to tumor biology. Molecular testing can identify changes such as BRCA mutations or broader homologous recombination deficiency, which help predict benefit from certain therapies. Targeted agents, including PARP inhibitors, are used as maintenance treatment for eligible patients after a good response to platinum chemotherapy. Anti angiogenic therapy, which limits blood supply to tumors, may be added in specific settings. Antibody drug conjugates for folate receptor alpha high disease have expanded options for some with platinum resistant cancer. Techniques such as enhanced recovery after surgery and more precise imaging have improved safety and planning. Research into immunotherapies continues, with tumor agnostic approvals for specific biomarkers like mismatch repair deficiency or high tumor mutational burden in select cases. Clinical trials remain a key route to access emerging strategies.

Primary Treatment Options

For most newly diagnosed patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, primary therapy starts with surgery and chemotherapy. When feasible, a gynecologic oncologist performs cytoreductive surgery to remove as much visible disease as possible, because lower residual disease is linked to better outcomes. If imaging and clinical factors suggest surgery would not safely achieve optimal debulking, neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval surgery may be recommended. Early stage disease can sometimes be treated with surgery alone, and in carefully selected early cases, fertility sparing approaches may be discussed. After surgery, platinum based chemotherapy, often carboplatin and paclitaxel, is standard. The sequence and components of treatment are guided by stage, tumor histology, overall health, surgical findings, and biomarker results. Multidisciplinary care is important to coordinate gynecologic oncology, medical oncology, pathology, genetics, and supportive services.

Systemic and Supportive Treatments

Systemic therapy targets cancer cells throughout the body. First line chemotherapy typically includes carboplatin with paclitaxel; some patients may receive bevacizumab, an anti angiogenic therapy, depending on risk features and tolerance. After response to platinum chemotherapy, maintenance therapy may be considered. PARP inhibitors such as olaparib or niraparib are options in specific settings, with eligibility influenced by BRCA or homologous recombination deficiency status and prior treatment history. In platinum resistant disease, choices may include non platinum chemotherapy, anti angiogenic therapy, and for tumors that overexpress folate receptor alpha, an antibody drug conjugate such as mirvetuximab soravtansine may be considered when criteria are met. Immunotherapy can be appropriate for select biomarker defined tumors such as mismatch repair deficient or high tumor mutational burden cancers. Supportive care is integral, including modern anti nausea medicines, strategies to reduce infection risk, neuropathy management, clot prevention when indicated, pain control, nutrition support, pelvic floor therapy, mental health care, and palliative care to align treatment with goals and quality of life.

The Role of Early Detection and Monitoring

There is currently no general population screening test shown to reduce deaths from ovarian cancer. Many diagnoses occur after symptoms such as persistent bloating, early satiety, pelvic or abdominal pain, urinary urgency, or changes in bowel habits. People with inherited risk from gene variants such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 should receive genetic counseling and discuss risk reducing strategies, including timing of preventive surgery. After treatment, monitoring usually involves regular visits, a review of symptoms, physical exams, and selective use of blood tests such as CA 125 or HE4 and imaging when clinically indicated. Surveillance schedules are typically more frequent in the first few years and then gradually spaced out. It is important to report new or persistent symptoms between visits rather than waiting for the next appointment.

Life After Treatment: Survivorship and Recovery

Recovery extends beyond the last infusion or surgery. Fatigue, neuropathy, surgical changes, treatment induced menopause, sexual health concerns, and emotional stress are common and deserve attention. A survivorship care plan can summarize treatments received, outline follow up schedules, and list late effects to watch for. Exercise programs tailored to energy levels, balanced nutrition, and sleep support can improve stamina and mood. For those who experience loss of fertility or early menopause, discussions about family building, contraception, and the individualized role of hormone therapy can be helpful. Work, school, and financial considerations may call for rehabilitation services and social support. Genetic counseling can clarify implications for relatives and guide cascade testing. Many people find value in evidence informed peer support and psycho oncology services to navigate uncertainty and build resilience.

A clear understanding of treatment options, the rationale behind choices, and how care evolves over time can help patients and families make informed decisions. Advances in surgery, systemic therapy, and supportive care continue to refine outcomes, while personalized testing and survivorship planning aim to align treatment with individual goals and quality of life across the care journey.