Treatment of ovarian cancer: an overview of effective methods

Cancer is one of the most serious diseases, so treatment for ovarian cancer is usually prescribed in a complex, based on the patient's diagnostic results. The degree of development and spread of the tumor process, the general condition of the patient, and her age are of primary importance when choosing treatment tactics. Modern medicine usually uses several treatment methods at once to get rid of cancer cells for sure.

Treatment methods for ovarian cancer

Surgical, radiation and chemotherapeutic methods are used to treat ovarian cancer.

Surgical treatment is considered the main one. Most oncologists are sure that all patients with ovarian tumors should be treated with surgery. This is explained by the impossibility of making a perfectly accurate diagnosis of cancer: if the doctor makes a mistake in determining the stage of the tumor, then refusing surgery can lead to irreparable consequences.

In case of cancer, one or both ovaries are removed, or a supravaginal or complete removal of the uterus is performed.

Why is it sometimes necessary to remove both appendages when there is a cancerous tumor in one of the ovaries? The fact is that the risk of developing a malignant process in the second ovary is very high. After some time, the cancer may return, and the patient will have to undergo treatment again.

Simultaneously with the operation, chemotherapy treatment is used. The goals of such therapy are as follows:

• prevention of metastasis and tumor recurrence;
• impact on probable residual elements of cancer cells;
• inhibition of tumor growth;
• making life easier for patients in advanced cases.

Radiation therapy is never used as an independent type of treatment. The purpose of irradiation is to ensure a high percentage of the effectiveness of surgical and medicinal effects.

The treatment protocol for ovarian cancer is determined only after a thorough examination of the patient: the condition of the urinary system, liver is assessed, and a blood test is performed. During chemotherapy, blood is tested several times, at least once a week.

In addition, the choice of treatment regimen depends on the following circumstances:

• from the presence of concomitant diseases;
• from the blood picture;
• from the patient's weight;
• from the histological type of tumor;
• depending on the stage of the process.

Surgical treatment of ovarian cancer

Surgery is the main link in the successful treatment of a cancerous tumor. Currently, the intervention is performed using laparotomy - through an incision above the pubic area. Simultaneously with the operation, the surgeon takes materials for further examination. These may be tissue samples or fluid accumulated in the abdominal cavity.

• Oophorectomy is the resection of one or both appendages.
• A hysterectomy is an operation that is performed at later stages of tumor development, when the uterus also has to be removed.
• Extirpation is the complete removal of the uterus with ovaries, omentum and cervix.

If the tumor affects only the reproductive system, the doctor removes the uterus with appendages, nearby lymph nodes, and sometimes the vermiform appendix.

If the ovarian cancer was invasive, then some elements of the digestive and urinary systems also have to be removed.

Immediately after surgery, the patient is prescribed a course of medication and, in some cases, radiation therapy.

Palliative surgeries for ovarian cancer are performed when the process is at an advanced stage and it is not possible to completely cure the patient. The essence of palliative treatment is to alleviate the patient's condition and prolong life as much as possible.

Radiation therapy

The principle of radiation therapy is the effect of radioactive rays on the area of malignant damage. The rays contribute to the destruction of cancer cells, affecting healthy tissue to a much lesser extent.

Most often, radiation is prescribed for recurrent cancer, as well as for palliative treatment to reduce pain, discomfort and slow the progression of the process.

Radiation therapy is performed in a hospital setting. To alleviate the patient's condition, one to ten sessions may be required, the duration of which is determined by the oncologist. Simultaneously with the course of radiation therapy, chemotherapy drugs can be taken to completely control the cancer process.

If radiation is prescribed after surgery, its purpose is to destroy any cancer cells that may have remained in the body.

If the tumor grows into the tissue of the abdominal organs, or if fluid accumulates, there is no point in prescribing radiation therapy, because radioactive rays can have a negative effect on healthy nearby organs.

Treatment of ovarian cancer with chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy a tumor. These drugs inhibit the growth of malignant cells. They are injected into a vein or artery.

It has been noted that ovarian cancer is extremely sensitive to chemotherapy. In many patients, the pathological focus becomes significantly smaller, and at the early stages of the process, even a complete cure may occur.

Chemotherapy drugs are used after surgery to prevent tumor re-growth. In addition, special medications can reduce the size of the tumor before surgery and somewhat reduce the negative effects of the disease.

Chemotherapy courses for ovarian cancer are conducted on an outpatient basis, over a period of 4-5 months, with short breaks. A total of 2 to 4 courses are conducted.

Sometimes the drugs are administered directly into the abdominal cavity, through a catheter. This method allows increasing the survival rate of women with malignant tumors. However, with intra-abdominal administration, undesirable effects may occur, such as severe pain, infection, and gastrointestinal diseases.

The most common medications for ovarian cancer are:

• Carboplatin – 100 mg/m² for five days;
• Paclitaxel – 175 mg/m² per day;
• Topotecan – 1.5 mg/m² for 5 days;
• Cisplatin – 15-20 mg/m² for 5 days;
• Docetaxel – 75-100 mg/m² once, every three weeks;
• Gemcitabine – 1 mg/m² on the first, eighth and fifteenth day every 28 days;
• Etoposide – 50 mg/m² for 21 days;
• Vepesid – 50 mg/m² for 21 days;
• Bevacizumab (Avastin) – 5-10 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

Cytotoxic drugs are almost never prescribed as independent treatment, but only in combination with each other. For example, the combination of Taxol + Carboplatin for ovarian cancer is called the "gold standard" of treatment. This combination is less toxic than a similar combination of Cyclophosphamide-Cisplatin, but is just as effective. Taxol with Carboplatin provides relatively quick results and a guaranteed 6-year survival rate for patients.

Doxorubicin, or Kelix, is often used in combination with Cyclophosphamide or taxanes for ovarian cancer. In this case, there is no increase in the toxic effect of the drugs. Kelix is usually administered intravenously (2 mg/ml), and for other drugs, a different route of administration can be chosen. For example, oral Cyclophosphamide is prescribed at a dosage of 1-2 mg/kg per day.

Avastin has been used for ovarian cancer relatively recently. It is one of the new drugs based on Bevacizumab, which suppress the development of malignant tumors. Avastin is administered only by intravenous drip. Other administration options, including intravenous jet, are prohibited.

Another recently popular antitumor drug, Refnot, is a tumor tissue necrosis factor (thymosin α-1). It is a fairly strong cytostatic and cytotoxic agent with minimal side effects. However, Refnot is not used very often for ovarian cancer: it is usually prescribed for the treatment of breast cancer.

In addition to antitumor drugs, doctors often prescribe immunomodulators - these are drugs that support the human immune system in a "combat" state. The use of immunomodulators still causes controversy among medical specialists. Some of them consider such drugs useless in oncology, while others are sure of their necessity. Thus, there is an opinion that the most common drug Roncoleukin for ovarian cancer increases antitumor immunity, which significantly increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy. In addition to Roncoleukin, such drugs as Timalin, Myelopid, Betaleukin and interferons have a similar effect.

Thermoperfusion in ovarian cancer

Thermoperfusion is one of the oncology treatment options, which involves thermal effects on tissues. High temperatures damage the protein structure of cancer cells without affecting healthy areas, which allows for a significant reduction in the size of the tumor. In addition, thermotherapy increases the sensitivity of tumor tissues to radiation and chemotherapy.

The essence of thermoperfusion consists of treating the ovaries and nearby organs that have been affected by cancer with a warm antitumor agent (up to 44°C), which significantly increases the effectiveness of its action.

In addition to the antitumor effect, this method also has a number of side effects. These are edema, increased thrombus formation, bleeding, pain. Over time, these symptoms go away on their own. Less often, dyspeptic disorders may occur, as well as exacerbation of chronic cardiovascular diseases.

Active clinical trials of thermotherapy are currently underway. This is done to improve the effectiveness of the method and eliminate its possible negative consequences.

Treatment of ovarian cancer with folk remedies

Is it possible to cure a cancerous tumor using folk recipes? The question is controversial. The overwhelming majority of traditional medicine specialists do not welcome the use of folk remedies, especially in the form of self-treatment. Attempts to cure a tumor on your own can lead to an aggravation of the process, and precious time for starting timely treatment can be lost.

However, there are quite a few recipes known, the authors of which promise a quick cure for ovarian cancer. We suggest you familiarize yourself with some of them.

• Mint is known to be actively used for problems in the sexual sphere: for example, with heavy menstrual bleeding, painful menopause, etc. Mint is successfully used for ovarian cancer: it is customary to take flea mint tea orally, half a glass three times a day. During treatment, you can do douching with the same solution. To prepare such tea, you need to brew 20 g of mint leaves in 500 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 to 3 hours.
• Flaxseed oil and flaxseed are very often used for ovarian cancer. The dosage of oil is from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon in the morning and evening. It can be taken in capsules, which are sold in pharmacies. To do this, you need to drink 10 to 14 capsules at a time. Flaxseed is used in the amount of 3 tablespoons, mixed with 200 ml of water. This "cocktail" must be drunk three times a day, for at least one month.
• Hemlock has a good reputation in the fight against cancer - it is used to treat many malignant tumors. Hemlock for ovarian cancer (especially in combination with other methods) can lead to a positive result. The tincture of this plant should be taken with a gradual increase in the dose: starting with 1 drop per 200 ml of water 1 time per day before meals, bringing it to 40 drops. Simultaneously with the amount of the drug, the amount of water also increases (for every 12 drops + 50 ml). After reaching 40 drops, the dosage is reduced in the opposite direction, by 1 drop per day. The amount of water is also reduced by 50 ml for every 12 drops. The duration of such treatment is as long as it takes for complete healing.
• Many people consider ordinary oats to be the first medicine for malignant tumors. Oat infusion for ovarian cancer is very easy to prepare: pour one glass of oat grains into an enamel container and add 1000 ml of water, bring to a boil and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes. Then remove from heat and leave in a warm place for at least 2 hours. Filter the decoction and divide into three doses. Drink 30 minutes before meals three times a day. It is not recommended to cook the decoction in advance for several days, it is better to take fresh.

No one excludes the effectiveness of folk treatment. However, before using such methods, consultation with an oncologist should be mandatory.

Treatment of ovarian cancer by stages

Treatment of stage 1 ovarian cancer is most often performed only through surgical intervention. In this case, the surgeon performs a hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and omental excision. In addition, biopsy materials and peritoneal fluid lavage are removed during the operation. In most cases, stage 1 does not require additional treatment other than surgery.

Treatment for stage 2 ovarian cancer is similar to stage 1, but additionally radiation therapy or systemic chemotherapy is prescribed, which involves the use of platinum-based drugs in combination with alkylating agents or Paclitaxel.

Treatment of stage 3 ovarian cancer requires a combined approach that combines surgery and a mandatory course of chemotherapy. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is often used, using Cisplatin and various combinations with it.

Treatment of ovarian cancer at stage 4 is more complex and less optimistic. The main methods of influencing such a tumor are:

• Cytoreductive surgery is the removal of one major affected part of a cancerous tumor that cannot be completely removed;
• systemic chemotherapy – the use of Cisplatin or Carboplatin in combination with taxanes or other similar drugs;
• Consolidation or maintenance treatment is the administration of more than six consecutive courses of chemotherapy, which allows delaying the development or completely avoiding relapses. This treatment is most suitable for patients with chemosensitive tumors.

Ovarian cancer treatment in Israel

Treatment of cancerous tumors in Israel is carried out in modern high-tech medical centers, which are equipped with special specialized departments for the treatment of female oncology. The treatment is carried out simultaneously by a number of specialists - a surgeon-oncologist, a gynecologist-oncologist, a chemotherapist-oncologist and a radiologist. Most medical institutions in Israel are represented by eminent professors known throughout the world.

The availability of the most modern diagnostic and treatment equipment in clinics is also important. Much attention is paid to the development of medicine in this country, including priority funding from the state. Therefore, medical centers, as a rule, have a powerful diagnostic base, thanks to which it is possible to conduct complex examinations in just a few days.

Chemotherapeutic treatment in Israel is based on the use of the latest medical drugs, developed according to the latest clinical studies.

For foreign patients, a coordinator who speaks the required language is always provided.

Upon admission, patients must undergo a mandatory examination, which for ovarian cancer can cost about $6,000. Surgery costs about $20,000, and one course of chemotherapy costs about $3,000.

Ovarian cancer treatment in Germany

In Germany, there is a special program for the use of advanced technologies in the daily practice of oncological clinics. This is due to the insufficient early diagnosis of cancerous tumors.

Needless to say, doctors in German medical institutions are particularly meticulous and highly qualified, and the clinics are equipped with the latest technology.

For each case and each patient, a consultation is always held, which determines an individual treatment approach.

The most common treatment standards for ovarian cancer in Germany are:

• Da Vinci surgical system (remote robotic surgery);
• radiosurgery “Cyber-knife system”;
• internal radiation exposure to a tumor;
• ultrasonic ablation method;
• treatment with monoclonal antibodies.

Surgery in Germany can cost approximately $3,000 to $10,000. The price for one course of chemotherapy treatment is $10,000 to $15,000.

New in the treatment of ovarian cancer

• In the United States of America, a treatment regimen for ovarian cancer using photodynamic therapy has been developed. The development is based on the fact that a cancerous tumor is detected in most cases only when metastases begin to spread to other organs. After this, surgery and chemotherapy are no longer effective enough. Therefore, a new treatment method called photodynamic therapy has been invented. The patient is offered to take a special drug, Phthalocyanine, which produces active oxygen, which can have a detrimental effect on cancer structures when exposed to infrared rays. In addition, gene therapy is prescribed, which reduces the degree of cell protection from active oxygen. This therapeutic method can be combined with surgical treatment, which reduces the likelihood of intoxication of the body.
• A new revolutionary anti-tumor drug, Olaparib, has been developed in the UK. The goal of this drug is to prolong the lives of patients with ovarian cancer by at least five years. Olaparib is currently being tested, and this drug will soon be available for treatment.

Rehabilitation after treatment for ovarian cancer

After treatment for ovarian cancer, a number of side effects and exacerbations may occur that need to be removed or their course mitigated. The rehabilitation plan will be prescribed by the attending physician.

There are several known options for rehabilitation therapy that can be used with a sufficient degree of effectiveness.

• Treatment with supportive drugs:
  • antiemetic drugs - Zofran, Ativan, etc.;
  • laxatives - Duphalac, etc., which are prescribed against the background of an appropriate diet;
  • hormonal agents are medications that normalize a woman’s hormonal background after the removal of both ovaries;
  • immunomodulatory drugs – interleukin, etc.
• Psychological treatment:
  • selection of a specific diet and exercise therapy by specialists;
  • involvement of social services to care for the sick;
  • psychotherapist consultations;
  • communication with patients who have experienced a similar pathology.
• Physiotherapy, swimming and rehabilitation gymnastics.

Postoperative treatment with folk methods

Folk remedies, even at the postoperative stage, should be used only after approval by an oncologist. It should be taken into account that many drugs have contraindications for use.

1. Tincture of the orthilia secunda: pour 100 g of chopped grass with 500 ml of vodka and leave for 14 days in a dark place, stirring the contents occasionally. Drink 1 teaspoon 4 times a day. Duration of administration is up to 4 months in a row.
2. Decoction or tincture of golden mustache: finely chop the above-ground part of the plant, pour boiling water over it and cook for a quarter of an hour, then filter and cool. Take the decoction 100 ml three times a day, and the alcohol tincture - 1 tbsp. in a glass of water.
3. Freshly squeezed beetroot juice, left to stand for one hour: drink starting with 50 ml, gradually increasing the dose to 0.5-1 l per day.
4. Hop cone infusion: grind dry cones to a powder. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over two teaspoons of this powder and leave for 3 hours. Drink 50 ml three times a day before meals.

Patients after chemotherapy are recommended to drink teas based on the rhizome of burdock, lady's mantle, astragalus and sage. You can prepare a herbal mixture in equal parts and brew it like tea.

Treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer, as well as its prevention, is carried out using the following traditional methods:

• infusion of celandine with calendula: mix the raw materials in equal parts and pour 200 ml of boiling water (you can brew it in a thermos), leave for 2 hours. Take 100 ml 3 times a day before meals;
• Propolis alcohol tincture (sold in pharmacies): take 30 drops/day.

Treatment of ovarian cancer is most effective in the early stages of tumor growth. As the malignant process spreads further, the prognosis for the disease becomes much less optimistic.