Hormone therapy for ovarian cancer

Some ovarian tumours use hormones as signals that support growth. Hormone therapy changes or blocks those signals. It is different from chemotherapy and may be considered when the tumour has features suggesting it could respond. The decision can also depend on whether the cancer is newly diagnosed, has returned, or needs longer-term control.

Your oncology team may use the pathology report and genomic tumour profiling to understand the tumour. Hormone therapy can be given alone in selected situations or alongside other cancer treatments. It does not replace an assessment of the tumour, its location and your general health.

Ask which hormone receptor or tumour features were found, what benefit the team expects, and how treatment will be monitored. Discuss tablets, injections or other options offered to you, including how long treatment may continue and what happens if the cancer changes.

Keep a record of new symptoms and medicines, including supplements. Report troublesome effects rather than stopping treatment on your own. Your plan may also include surgery, chemotherapy or symptom-focused care, depending on the cancer and your priorities.

Contact your oncology team promptly for new or worsening abdominal swelling, persistent vomiting, severe pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, breathlessness, fever or inability to keep medicines down. Seek urgent help for sudden severe breathlessness, collapse, confusion or uncontrolled bleeding.

Is my ovarian cancer likely to be hormone-sensitive? What test supports that view? How will we tell whether treatment is helping? Which side effects need a same-day call? What other treatments fit my goals?