Ovarian Cancer Treatment

UChicago Medicine doctors have the necessary expertise to design the best treatment plans for ovarian cancer. Here, every patient’s case is reviewed at the multidisciplinary Gynecologic Oncology Tumor Board. This meeting brings together physicians in gynecologic oncology, medical oncology, pathology and radiology to evaluate cases, discuss treatment options and jointly plan the most effective course of treatment for each patient, which may include a discussion about clinical trials.

Therapy for ovarian cancer depends on the histology (microscopic structure of the tumor cells), grade of the tumor and the location (stage) of the disease. Initial treatment usually involves surgery or chemotherapy. In all cases, we take an aggressive approach to treating ovarian cancer, tailored to the individual needs of each patient.

Surgery

Surgery is often recommended for women with ovarian cancer. Prior to surgery, our anesthesiologists meet with patients to discuss anesthesia during surgery and pain control after the procedure.

Whenever possible, our gynecologic oncologists use minimally invasive surgical techniques, including laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery, to stage patients with early stage disease. For patients with metastatic disease, removing all visible disease in the abdomen (referred to as cytoreduction or debulking) has proven to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Surgery may include the removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovarian masses as well as the appendix and segments of the bowel, peritoneum (tissue that surrounds the abdominal organs) and omentum (a fat pad that covers the bowel). When appropriate, removal of other affected organs such as portions of the liver or spleen may be involved. Planning and performing these surgeries takes specialized expertise and our team coordinates every aspect of this process.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for patients with advanced ovarian cancer may be administered through a combination of methods:

Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy — through a vein into the bloodstream
Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy-delivered directly into the abdominal cavity
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) — heated chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity during an operation. We are one of only a few medical centers in the Midwest to offer highly skilled expertise in HIPEC, where gynecologic oncologists work with surgical oncologists to remove all of the tumor.

Our trained chemotherapy nurses are highly skilled in delivering chemotherapy and in symptom management. They listen carefully to the needs of the patient and monitor side effects to alter treatment plans as necessary. As regional experts in intraperitoneal chemotherapy, our nurses regularly teach this method to other nurses in the area. UChicago Medicine is also actively involved in clinical trials designed to improve current chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Fertility Preservation

Cancer treatment may affect the ability to become pregnant. Our gynecologic oncologists take this into account for each and every patient and proactively work to address these concerns. Our reproductive endocrinologists have special expertise in fertility preservation for cancer patients. We offer embryo and egg freezing (cryopreservation) as well as other strategies to preserve fertility before undergoing treatment.

Radiation Therapy

Treating Metastatic Cancer with Optimism and Hope

If you have been diagnosed with metastatic cancer, more therapies may be available to you than you think. Our cancer specialists are eager to help you understand all of your options.

Limited Metastatic Cancer Program

Helpful Information About Ovarian Cancer

UChicago Medicine gynecologic oncologist Nita Lee, MD, MPH, is featured in several informational videos on the You and Ovarian Cancer website created by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. The videos cover a range of topics and include patient interviews about living with ovarian cancer.

View videos and animations about ovarian cancer

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HIPEC is an aggressive, targeted surgical technique that attacks abdominal cancer with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.

Video Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] HIPEC means hope for patients with abdominal cancer. Here's why. HIPEC, hypothermic or heated intraperitoneal chemoperfusion, is an aggressive targeted surgical technique for patients with a variety of abdominal cancers. HIPEC helps with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy, deeper penetration of the medicine, and greater effectiveness in killing cancer cells than conventional chemotherapy.

UChicago Medicine is one of the only hospitals to offer the treatment for both children and adults. How does HIPEC work? First, surgeons remove the patients' tumors immediately following surgery. The patient's abdomen is treated with a heated chemotherapy bathe. The chemotherapy is heated to cause blood vessels to expand and improve the medicines penetration and effectiveness. They heated concentrated dose of chemotherapy can directly target cancerous cells, destroying them before they can become future tumors.

This also means that the chemo stays where it can help the most rather than circulating throughout the body. After about 90 minutes, the surgeons wash out the chemo and close the incisions. We also offer minimally invasive HIPEC to eligible patients. For some patients, HIPEC will achieve a long term cure for their abdominal cancers. In other cases, HIPEC allows doctors to treat incurable cancers more like a chronic disease and less like a terminal illness. HIPEC means hope for patients with abdominal cancer. Need more information about HIPEC? Call 888-824-0200 or go to UChicagomedicine.org/HIPEC. UChicago Medicine is here to help.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

S. Diane Yamada, MD, and Ernst Lengyel, MD, gynecologic oncologists

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Participate in a Clinical Trial

UChicago Medicine ovarian cancer experts are actively conducting clinical trials of new and promising treatments.

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Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Clinic

Our cancer prevention experts provide comprehensive and personalized care for women at elevated risk for endometrial (uterine) cancer and ovarian cancer.

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