What are the ways to treat ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common genital cancers in women, second only to cervical cancer. In Vietnam alone, thousands of new cases of ovarian cancer are detected each year. This disease is known as the "silent killer" because of its silent progression, indistinct symptoms and often overlooked by women. So what are the ways to treat ovarian cancer?
The exact cause of ovarian cancer is currently unknown, but there are several factors that increase the risk of the disease such as genetics, age (common in menopausal women), being overweight, obesity, ....
Many people with ovarian cancer often worry about whether ovarian cancer can be cured? In fact, ovarian cancer can be completely cured if detected early and followed the right treatment regimen. How long you can live with ovarian cancer depends on what stage the cancer is in. Depending on the stage of the cancer, the doctor will have an appropriate treatment plan for ovarian cancer.
Ways to treat ovarian cancer include:

For patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer, especially early stage ovarian cancer, surgery is always the treatment of first choice. During cancer surgery, the doctor will try to remove as much of the cancer cells as possible, the remaining cancer cells can be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. Usually, the patient will have to remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, omentum, and abdominal lymph nodes. But if the patient wants to have children, the doctor will try to preserve the organs that have not been invaded by cancer cells.
Depending on the patient's condition, the doctor may prescribe open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery method has many advantages such as minimally invasive, highly aesthetic, shortens hospital stay and patients recover quickly. The surgery can cause brief pain and make it difficult for patients to have bowel movements.

The method of using drugs to kill cancer cells is called chemotherapy. The drug can be administered intravenously, orally, or directly into the abdomen through a catheter. Chemotherapy is often prescribed for patients with advanced ovarian cancer or to help remove any remaining cancer cells after surgery. After administering the drug, the doctor may have the patient test tissue and fluid samples to assess response to the drug.
Drugs not only affect cancer cells but also affect normal cells. Side effects of chemotherapy can include: vomiting, nausea, hair loss, loss of appetite, darkening of the skin, fatigue, etc. Some ovarian cancer drugs can damage the kidneys. , so the patient needs a lot of fluids to protect the kidneys.

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. The radiation can come from a machine outside the body or a radioactive solution that is inserted into the patient's abdomen.
Radiation can affect both cancer cells and normal cells. This method can lead to some side effects such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, etc. Side effects usually depend on the dose and the area of ​​the body being irradiated.

In general, there are 3 common methods used to treat ovarian cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Currently, Oncology Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital is applying laparoscopic surgery to treat patients with early stage ovarian cancer.
This is a new technique that has been applied in the world for the past 10 years. This method brings many advantages such as patients recover quickly, return to normal activities after only 1 week and the incision is more aesthetic than open surgery. Vinmec International General Hospital has a team of highly qualified surgeons with more than 20 years of experience, working with experts according to the US standard protocol. Operating room system, advanced equipment, using the most modern machines trusted by many developed countries in the world. Patients are rested in 5-star standard recovery rooms, consulted and cared for by medical staff before and after surgery. The cost is relatively cheap, only 1/5 of the surgery in Singapore. Patients are consulted and scheduled 24/7.