Trying to navigate and understand treatment options is critical. The Alliance works not only in raising awareness about ovarian cancer, but also in increasing patients’ knowledge about the myriad of treatment options and where to find information about these options.

Surgery - To remove all visible tumors, often called tumor debulking. Studies show that outcomes appear better for women whose surgery has been performed by a gynecologic oncologist. (A gynecologic oncologist is an obstetrician/gynecologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of women with cancer of the reproductive organs.) Five-year survival and disease-free intervals for patients whose surgeon was a gynecologic oncologist far surpass the five-year survival rate of patients whose doctor was a non-oncologist, obstetrician/gynecologist.

Chemotherapy - To kill any cancer cells that may remain in the body. Standard treatment usually requires six cycles of Taxol, a taxane, and a platinum drug - either Carboplatin or Cisplatin.

Intraperitoneal (IP) Chemotherapy - This therapy places the medicine directly into the peritoneal area through a surgically implanted port and catheter. IP therapy has been in use since the 1950s but new advances combine it with IV therapy using the chemotherapy agents that work best for treating ovarian cancer. The National Cancer Institute recommends that, for select ovarian cancer patients, chemotherapy be given by two methods: intravenous (through a woman’s veins) and intraperitoneal (IP or directly into her abdomen). This combination has been found to dramatically increase survival rates for women with advanced stage ovarian cancer.

Radiation - Radiation therapy or radio therapeutic procedures may be used to kill cancer cells that remain in the pelvic area.