Adjuvant
Therapy
Even after surgery and radiation have been completed, it is possible for
microscopic cancer cells to have spread beyond the local area to other
parts of the body. The presence of these microscopic cervical cells is
called micrometastasis, because the quantity of cells is too small to
be detected by any current medical procedure. Based upon stage of disease
and the likelihood of micrometastasis, a recommendation may be made for
systemic (whole body) adjuvant therapy that is additional to other treatments,
such as chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy refers to medications used to discourage cancer cell growth.
It is most often administered after surgery, but at times is done before
surgery or radiation therapy. The doses are generally given over a period
of months. The completion of all cycles is called a course of treatment.
Most ovarian cancers are treated with chemotherapy after the initial surgery.
Within a few weeks of the initial surgery, chemotherapy administration
begins. Subsequent cycles are usually given on an outpatient basis. A
combination of chemotherapy medications, which often includes Taxol (paclitaxel)
and a platinum based-drug, is administered. Cisplatin and carboplatin
(platinum based medications) are very active against ovarian cancer cells.
Treatment usually consists of six to eight cycles, spaced three weeks
apart. A complete course of treatment can take up to six months.
Side effects of chemotherapy may include hair loss, weight gain and fatigue.
Other side effects such as nausea and vomiting can usually be effectively
controlled with medications called antiemetics. Although hair loss can
be particularly traumatic, women should keep in mind that hair loss is
temporary. Hair will grow back after therapy has been completed. Weight
gain during therapy often subsides after treatment as well. Fatigue can
be treated in a variety of ways. To help you handle fatigue, you should
discuss with your physicians the medical and non-medical options to assist
you with this side effect. Any side effect should be reported to your
health care team.
Your gynecologic oncologist may decide, after treatment, to do a second
operation called a second look operation. This is done to determine
the success of the treatment and to see if anything additional is needed
to eliminate microscopic disease.