Ovarian cancer
Types of treatment Save this page
Treatments for ovarian cancer can include:
- surgery
- chemotherapy
- targeted therapy
- radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
- hormonal therapy
- immunotherapy – may be available through clinical trials
- palliative care.
Most people with ovarian cancer have one or more of these treatments. Not all treatments are suitable for every women or every type of ovarian cancer.
Choose the option that best suits your situation
The type of surgery you have depends on your cancer.
Chemotherapy, also known as chemo, is a way of treating cancer using drugs.
Targeted therapy uses drugs that affect specific cells in some cancers.
Radiation therapy is a way of treating cancers using X-rays or other types of radiation.
Hormonal therapy uses drugs to treat cancers that are sensitive to hormones.
Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
Palliative care deals with managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
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It is important to ask about costs before you start your treatment.