Treatments for ovarian cancer

Last medical review:

Your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. The plan is based on your health and specific information about the cancer. What you want is also important when planning treatment.

The treatments offered for ovarian cancer are also used for fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer. These cancers start in the same type of tissue as the most common type of ovarian cancer and are staged and treated the same way. But they are much rarer cancers.

When deciding which treatments to offer for ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, your healthcare team will consider:

  • the type of cancer
  • the stage of the cancer
  • the grade of the cancer
  • possible side effects
  • your age
  • your overall health
  • any medical problems you have
  • your lifestyle and what you prefer or want

Surgery and chemotherapy are the main treatments for these cancers. Sometimes other treatments are used, such as targeted therapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy. Immunotherapy is rarely used.

Expert review and references

  • Tien Le, MD, FRCSC, DABOG
  • American Cancer Society. Ovarian Cancer. 2018. https://www.cancer.org/.
  • Armbruster SA, Lengyel E. Epithelial ovarian cancer. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg S. eds. DeVita Hellman and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology . 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2023: Kindle version, [chapter 8], https://read.amazon.ca/?asin=B0BG3DPT4Q&language=en-CA.
  • Martin VR, Stewart L. Ovarian Cancer. Yarbro CH, Wujcik D, Gobel B (eds.). Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Burlington, MA: Jone & Bartlett Learning; 2018: Kindle version, [chapter 63].

Treatments for epithelial ovarian cancer

Epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer are usually treated with surgery. Chemotherapy is often given after surgery. Targeted therapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy may also be offered.

Treatments for germ cell ovarian cancer

Germ cell ovarian cancer is often treated with surgery and chemotherapy.

Treatments for stromal ovarian cancer

Stromal cell ovarian cancer is often treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Hormone therapy may also be used.

Treatments for borderline ovarian tumours

Surgery is used to treat borderline ovarian tumours.  

Surgery for ovarian cancer

Surgery is the primary treatment for ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer. The type of surgery depends mainly on the type and stage of the cancer.

Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer

Chemotherapy is often given after surgery for ovarian cancer. It may also be used to treat fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer.

Radiation therapy for ovarian cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Radiation is rarely used to treat ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.

Hormone therapy for ovarian cancer

Hormone therapy affects hormones that cancer cells need to grow. Ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers are sometimes treated with hormone therapy.

Targeted therapy for ovarian cancer

Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules on cancer cells or inside them. Ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer are sometimes treated with targeted therapy.

Immunotherapy for ovarian cancer

Ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers are rarely treated with immunotherapy. It helps strengthen the immune system to fight cancer.

Follow-up after treatment for ovarian cancer

Follow-up is an important part of care for ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer. It often involves regular tests and visits with your healthcare team.

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Medical disclaimer

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