Ovarian Cancer Chemotherapy

Making Strides In Ovarian Cancer Chemotherapy

With the news of having ovarian cancer, one may just sit and ponder all of the things that are to come. Treatments for cancer have really advanced and the chances for survival are growing all of the time. When diagnosed with cancer, there are many things that must be tested in order to determine what treatment will help the best. There are many considerations when deciding on the proper ovarian cancer chemotherapy treatment.

Most cancers require chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can be administered many different ways and consist of many different types of drugs, depending on the individual. Most frequently, ovarian cancer patients receive chemotherapy through intravenous administration. Many times a chemotherapy port is implanted in the individual to receive chemotherapy to make it easier on the patient. With a port placed just below the collarbone, a IV needle can be put there and all medications and drugs can be administered through the IV.  This would take place of the use needles in the arms to get the drugs and medications in the body.

With ovarian cancer chemotherapy, there are several drugs that are effective. The oncologist must determine through testing which medication will work causing the least amount of damage to the body. Unfortunately, the drugs that are used to kill cancer cells, also kill healthy cells. When healthy cells, such as white and red blood cells are killed, then it causes other health problems. Anemia from the loss of red blood cells may require transfusions to keep the body functioning properly. Neutropenia is a condition that appears when the white blood cells are killed off too much to be able to protect the body's immune system. 

With ovarian cancer chemotherapy, patients may also suffer side effects. One side effect is nausea and vomiting. Strides have been made to help patients who suffer this side effect with medications that can be taken days before treatment and have pills on hand to take between treatments if nausea starts to set in. It has been very successful in curbing the sickness that comes with chemotherapy. Another side effect is weight loss. Typically, patients do not eat as much because their taste buds seem to lose the sense of taste, which makes foods not very appealing. Patients are encouraged to eat balanced diets, but it doesn't always happen. It is a very serious disease, but chances of survival are increasing and patient comfort is improving.