how long a course of chemo for ovarian

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How many cycles of chemotherapy are needed for ovarian cancer?

In many cases, ovarian cancer chemotherapy is administered in three to six cycles, with each cycle involving a schedule of set chemotherapy doses followed by a rest period during which the patient can recover.

What is chemotherapy for ovarian cancer?

Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer. Chemotherapy (chemo) is the use of drugs to treat cancer. Most often, chemo is a systemic treatment, meaning the drugs enter the bloodstream and reach almost all areas of the body. Chemo can be useful to kill very small amounts of cancer cells that may still be around after surgery,...

What is the typical course of chemo for epithelial ovarian cancer?

The typical course of chemo for epithelial ovarian cancer involves 3 to 6 cycles of treatment, depending on the stage and type of ovarian cancer. A cycle is a schedule of regular doses of a drug, followed by a rest period. Different drugs have varying cycles; your doctor will let you know what schedule is planned for your chemo.

How long do you have to have chemotherapy for cancer?

In general, the amount of time that person has to undergo chemotherapy when it is used as an adjuvant treatment is roughly three to six months. If the cancer is metastatic, chemotherapy is often administered for longer.

How long is a chemo cycle for ovarian cancer?

You usually have chemotherapy once every 3 weeks. You usually have the chemotherapy drugs on day 1 followed by a rest period to allow you to recover from side effects. Each 3 week period is called a cycle of treatment. You normally have about 6 cycles in all, but you may have more.

How is chemo given for ovarian cancer?

Chemotherapy is usually the first treatment for most women with ovarian cancer. Chemotherapy works by interrupting the growth of cancer cells. It is given either to shrink cancer cells before surgery, or to destroy any tumor cells that might be left behind after surgery. Usually chemotherapy is injected into the vein.

At what stage of ovarian cancer is chemotherapy used?

Doctors usually class stage 1 cancer as early ovarian cancer. This means the cancer is still contained within the ovaries. The main treatment is surgery. Some women need chemotherapy.

Can chemotherapy alone cure ovarian cancer?

However, since most women will have widespread disease, surgery alone is unlikely to cure the disease and most will also need chemotherapy. Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer uses platinum-based drugs to treat cells that cannot be removed by surgery (macroscopic disease) or are too small to be seen (microscopic disease).

Can you fully recover from ovarian cancer?

Yes, many women fully recover from ovarian cancer following surgery and/or chemotherapy.

Do you always need chemo with ovarian cancer?

Chemotherapy is usually recommended after surgery for most stages of ovarian cancer. A combination of chemotherapy medications is typically used. The primary goal of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer cells by preventing them from growing and dividing rapidly and to bring about cancer remission.

What is the life expectancy with ovarian cancer?

For all types of ovarian cancer taken together, about 3 in 4 (72.4%) women with ovarian cancer live for at least 1 year after diagnosis. Almost half (46.2%) of women with ovarian cancer are still alive at least 5 years after diagnosis. Women diagnosed when they are younger than 65 do better than older women.

Is ovarian cancer curable at Stage 3?

Is it curable? Yes, doctors can treat stage 3 ovarian cancer. However, it is more difficult to treat than stages 1 and 2. Cancer treatment aims to achieve remission, which means that the signs and symptoms of the cancer are partially or completely gone.

Where is the first place ovarian cancer spreads to?

Where does ovarian cancer spread first? There is no single trajectory for where ovarian cancer will spread; however, if not caught in early stages, most cases of ovarian cancer will follow a similar path: from the pelvis, to more distant parts of the abdomen and peritoneal cavity, to the lymph nodes, and the liver.

What is the best treatment for ovarian cancer?

Surgery is the main treatment for ovarian cancer, recommended primarily when the vast majority of the cancer or affected tissue can be removed successfully. Some early-stage ovarian patients may undergo minimally-invasive procedures to remove ovarian tumors and/or preserve fertility.

What are the two most common chemotherapy to treat ovarian cancer?

The combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel is used most often. Some women with stage II ovarian cancer are treated with intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy instead of intravenous (IV) chemotherapy.

How can I prevent ovarian cancer from coming back?

There is no clear-cut way to prevent an ovarian cancer recurrence. No specific diet, vitamin or regimen can be prescribed as a proven method of prevention. However, maintaining good health by eating well and staying as active as possible is always good practice.

How many rounds of chemo is normal for ovarian cancer?

Most often, 3 cycles of chemo are given before surgery, with at least 3 more after surgery (for a total of at least 6 cycles). Giving chemo before surgery is also sometimes an option for some women with advanced cancers that aren't likely to be optimally debulked if surgery is done first.

What is the most effective treatment for ovarian cancer?

Surgery is the main treatment for ovarian cancer, recommended primarily when the vast majority of the cancer or affected tissue can be removed successfully. Some early-stage ovarian patients may undergo minimally-invasive procedures to remove ovarian tumors and/or preserve fertility.

Is ovarian cancer usually terminal?

Is it terminal? Ovarian cancer can be terminal. About 45% of people with any stage of ovarian cancer survive for 5 years or longer from the date a doctor diagnoses them. For stage 4 ovarian cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 30.3% .

What is the life expectancy with ovarian cancer?

For all types of ovarian cancer taken together, about 3 in 4 (72.4%) women with ovarian cancer live for at least 1 year after diagnosis. Almost half (46.2%) of women with ovarian cancer are still alive at least 5 years after diagnosis. Women diagnosed when they are younger than 65 do better than older women.

Chemotherapy For Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Chemo for ovarian cancer usually involves getting two different types of drugs together. Getting a combination of drugs instead of just one drug al...

Chemotherapy For Germ Cell Tumors

If you have a germ cell tumor, you will likely be treated with combination chemo (several different drugs at once). The combination used most often...

Chemotherapy For Stromal Tumors

Ovarian stromal tumors are not often treated with chemotherapy, but when they are, the combination of carboplatin plus paclitaxel or PEB (cisplatin...

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Chemo drugs can cause side effects. These depend on the type and dose of drugs given, and the length of treatment. Some of the most common possible...

How long does ovarian cancer last after chemo?

If the first chemo seemed to work well and the cancer stayed away for at least 6 to 12 months, it can be treated with the same chemotherapy used the first time. In some cases, different drugs may be used.

How many cycles of chemo for epithelial ovarian cancer?

The typical course of chemo for epithelial ovarian cancer involves 3 to 6 cycles of treatment, depending on the stage and type of ovarian cancer. A cycle is a schedule of regular doses of a drug, followed by a rest period. Different drugs have varying cycles; your doctor will let you know what schedule is planned for your chemo.

What is the best treatment for ovarian cancer?

Getting a combination of drugs instead of just one drug alone seems to work better as a first treatment for ovarian cancer. Usually, the combination includes a type of chemo drug called a platinum compound (usually cisplatin or carboplatin), and another type of chemo drug called a taxane, such as paclitaxel (Taxol ®) or docetaxel (Taxotere ® ).

What is chemo for ovarian cancer?

Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer. Chemotherapy (chemo) is the use of drugs to treat cancer. Most often, chemo is a systemic treatment, meaning the drugs enter the bloodstream and reach almost all areas of the body. Chemo can be useful to kill very small amounts of cancer cells that may still be around after surgery, ...

What is the best treatment for stromal tumors?

Chemotherapy for stromal tumors. Ovarian stromal tumors are not often treated with chemotherapy , but when they are, the combination of carboplatin plus paclitaxel or PEB (cisplatin/Platinol, etoposide, and bleomycin) is used most often.

What is the most common combination of chemotherapy drugs?

The combination used most often is called BEP, and includes the chemotherapy drugs bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (Platinol). If the cancer is a dysgerminoma, these are usually very sensitive to chemotherapy, and can sometimes be treated with the less toxic combination of carboplatin and etoposide.

What are the drugs that can be used to treat cancer?

These include: High dose chemotherapy (the exact drugs used can vary depending on what cancer center is giving the treatment) TIP (paclitaxel/Taxol, ifosfamide, and cisplatin/Platinol)

How long does IV chemo take?

IV infusion. The drug flows into your body over a period lasting several minutes to several hours. Continuous infusion. A continuous infusion takes a day to several days.

How long does chemotherapy last?

Some side effects go away quickly, while other side effects can last longer than the actual treatment. These effects can last months or years. This means that chemotherapy can technically take much longer beyond the treatment itself. Here’s what you can do to prepare for these side effects in the long term:

What is chemo given in?

Chemo is given in specific intervals, also known as cycles or schedules. The duration of one cycle depends on several factors, including the:

How to cope with chemotherapy side effects?

Finding a therapist in advance may help you cope with the side effects. Look for wigs. If you expect to lose hair during chemotherapy, you may choose to wear a wig.

Is oral chemotherapy more time consuming?

Oral and topical chemotherapy are less time-consuming. That’s because they can be done at home on your own.

Does chemotherapy kill cancer cells?

As chemotherapy destroys cancer cells, it also harms healthy cells. This includes cells in your digestive system and hair, along with cells that produce blood.

How long does it take to get chemo?

The chemotherapy itself may take five to six hours, depending on the drug combination. That does not include the time required to perform blood tests and a physical exam that are often necessary prior to receiving chemotherapy.

What is the best treatment for ovarian cancer?

Chemotherapy is usually recommended after surgery for most stages of ovarian cancer. A combination of chemotherapy medications is typically used. The primary goal of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer cells by preventing them from growing and dividing rapidly and to bring about cancer remission.

Why do my hands feel numb after taking ovarian cancer medicine?

Side effects like tingling or numbness in the hands and feet may be permanent, because some of the drugs used to treat ovarian cancer may cause nerve damage. Therefore, it is important to let your oncologist know right away if you are experiencing these symptoms.

How often do you get chemotherapy?

For example, if you have advanced ovarian cancer, you may get a course of chemotherapy every three weeks for six doses. Different drugs have varying cycles; your oncologist will prescribe the particular cycle or schedule for your chemotherapy.

What is clinical trial?

Clinical trials are designed to find better ways to treat cancer. In order to participate in a clinical trial or research study, you must meet certain requirements. For example, some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment. Talk to your oncologist about your eligibility.

Where is chemo injected?

People with advanced ovarian cancer may have intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy, where medications are injected through a catheter or port in your abdomen. 3. Does it matter where I receive chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is usually administered in a doctor's office, clinic, or outpatient unit at a hospital.

Where is chemo administered?

Chemotherapy is usually administered in a doctor's office, clinic, or outpatient unit at a hospital. Chemotherapy follows a standard protocol, so your care should not vary greatly from place to place. You may decide to travel to an academic hospital, especially if you are interested in participating in clinical trials.

What is local treatment for ovarian cancer?

Some treatments are local, meaning they treat the tumor without affecting the rest of the body. Types of local therapy used for ovarian cancer include: Surgery for Ovarian Cancer. Radiation Therapy for Ovarian Cancer.

Who treats ovarian cancer?

Based on your treatment options, you might have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors could include:

What kind of doctor treats ovarian cancer?

Based on your treatment options, you might have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors could include: 1 A gynecologic oncologist: a gynecology doctor who is specially trained to use surgery to treat ovarian cancer; many times they are also the ones to give chemotherapy and other medicines to treat ovarian cancer 2 A radiation oncologist: a doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer 3 A medical oncologist: a doctor who uses chemotherapy and other medicines to treat cancer

Why do we do clinical trials?

Clinical trials are carefully controlled research studies that are done to get a closer look at promising new treatments or procedures . Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment. In some cases they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. Still, they're not right for everyone.

What do people with cancer need?

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

Is ovarian cancer a systemic disease?

Drugs used to treat ovarian cancer are considered systemic therapies because they can reach cancer cells almost anywhere in the body. They can be given by mouth or put directly into the bloodstream.

Can alternative treatments help with cancer?

Alternative treatments are used instead of a doctor’s medical treatment. Although some of these methods might be helpful in relieving symptoms or helping you feel better, many have not been proven to work. Some might even be harmful. Be sure to talk to your cancer care team about any method you are thinking about using.

How long can I take Avastin for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer?

Based on your doctor's advice, you may continue to take Avastin with your chemotherapy, as long as your disease is controlled and your side effects are manageable.

How often should blood pressure be monitored while on Avastin?

Blood pressure that severely spikes or shows signs of affecting the brain. Blood pressure should be monitored every 2 to 3 weeks while on Avastin and after stopping treatment. Kidney problems. These may be caused by too much protein in the urine and can sometimes be fatal. Infusion-related reactions.

How many stages of ovarian cancer are there?

Ovarian cancer has four stages, with stage 1 being the earliest. Read on to learn the basics of ovarian cancer, what characterizes stage 1, and who’s at risk. We’ll also look at early symptoms, treatment options, and outlook for this stage.

Where does ovarian cancer start?

Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries. These are the two almond-shaped, egg-producing organs located on both sides of the uterus in the female reproductive system. The cells where the cancer forms determines the specific type of ovarian cancer. The three types include:

What are the three types of ovarian cancer?

The three types include: epithelial tumors, which form in the tissue outside the ovaries and account for about 90 percent of ovarian cancers. stromal tumors, which begin in the tissue of hormone-producing cells and represent about 7 percent of ovarian cancers. germ cell tumors, which form in egg-producing cells and are more common in young women. ...

Why is it so hard to detect ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages because there isn’t a screening test for it . Also, the symptoms are common for a number of noncancerous conditions. That said, early symptoms of ovarian cancer may include: abdominal pain or bloating. constipation.

What percentage of ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed in stage 1?

The stage in which ovarian cancer is detected has an effect on survival rates, but only about 15 percent of those with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in stage 1.

What is the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer?

The lifetime risk of a woman experiencing ovarian cancer is 1.3 percent. Genetic factors are responsible for about 10 percent of cases. Though exact causes are unknown, other risk factors include:

What is polycystic ovary syndrome?

polycystic ovary syndrome. a first full-term pregnancy after age 35 or no full-term pregnancy in a woman’s lifetime. hormone therapy after menopause. a family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer.