Cancer that originates in the ovaries is known as ovarian cancer. In many cases, it gets overlooked until the cancer has spread to other organs in the pelvis. At this stage, ovarian cancer can be difficult to treat but if diagnosed in the early stages, ovarian cancer can be easily treated in many different ways. The different ways in which ovarian cancer can be treated are:

Surgery
Surgery is usually the first step of treatment for ovarian cancer. This procedure is aimed at removing the tumor to check if it is cancerous or not. This type of investigative surgery is also known as a biopsy. A biopsy helps doctors determine what stage the cancer is at and how far it has spread. A biopsy may be followed by more surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible.

The extent of surgery required depends on how far your cancer has spread to the other organs in the pelvic cavity. In some cases, it may also have affected the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. If so, these may need to be removed as well. Other tissue that are typically removed during surgery includes the fatty tissue covering the intestines, also known as the omentum, and the lymph nodes. The extensiveness of the surgery required is proportional to the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed. In the very early stages, not all of the reproductive organs may need to be removed.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often administered to ovarian cancer patients after surgery. The aim here is to kill all traces of the cancer that remain in the body after surgery. Chemotherapy is a form of medication that may be given orally in the form of pills or in the form of injections. Chemotherapy is usually administered in cycles that must be repeated until all the cancer cells have been killed.

Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is another way of treating ovarian cancer with medication. The medication is designed to identify and attack the cancer cells without affecting the other healthy cells surrounding the tumor. Each medicine for targeted therapy affects the body in a different way. On an average, they all keep the cancer cells from growing, multiplying, and repairing themselves. Like chemotherapy, targeted therapy may be administered orally or intravenously.

Hormone therapy
In some cases, medication may be needed to block the production and effect of hormones. Alternatively, hormone supplements may be needed. This type of therapy is usually used to treat ovarian stromal tumors. It is rarely used to treat epithelial ovarian cancer.

Clinical trials
The study to find better ways to treat ovarian cancer is ongoing. There are a number of clinical trials being planned for patients suffering from ovarian cancer. Participating in clinical trials gives patients access to the latest developments in cancer treatment. However, clinical trials may not always be right for everyone. Your doctor will be the best person to advise you as to which clinical trial is right for you.