Chemotherapy Treatment for Ovarian Cancer
Cancer chemotherapy is a treatment which utilizes drugs to destroy cancer cells. This treatment is mostly given after surgery. The drugs destroy these cancer cells by preventing them from rapidly growing or dividing. However some of the normal cells are also destroyed in this process. Besides these, ovarian cancers are mostly utilized by using a combination of various treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
In most of the cases, there are chances of reoccurrence of this cancer in the body. Chemotherapy treatment is opted for only those individuals who are at the low grade or at an early stage of the disease after surgery. The different types of ovarian cancer such as stromal cell, epithelial and germ cell are treated by using chemotherapy.
This treatment is done by opting for the different methods of administering chemotherapy such as intraperitoneal chemotherapy and intravenous chemotherapy. These are given in combination of different drugs which help in increasing the survival rates. These treatments are given in hospital, clinic or home. Some women prefer to stay and take the treatment in hospital.
This treatment is given in cycles. The treatment is always followed by a rest period. The length of the rest period and cycles are determined by the type of drugs utilized in the treatment.
These cancers are sensitive to the chemotherapy treatment and in most of the cases will respond well in the beginning of the treatment. In the beginning of the chemotherapy treatment some standardized drugs are utilized in a combination.
The side effects of the chemotherapy treatment depend on factors such as the patient, its dose and the drug administered. However, there are some common side effects of using chemotherapy treatment which are described below:
- Temporary hair loss
- Anemia
- Depression
- Decrease the number of platelets which may result in bleeding
- Weight loss
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
There are some long-term side effects also such as damage to the kidney or liver, bone marrow damage, hearing loss, infertility, allergic reactions, etc. which are life threatening and risk for getting other cancers are increased.
However, you can consult a doctor and take some medicines which will help to destroy the side effects of chemotherapy. The doctor will also clear all your queries related to the ovarian cancer. Majority of the side effects last only till the treatment lasts.
Thus information about ovarian cancer chemotherapy treatment is described. It also informs about the side effects of this treatment also.