How effective is oophorectomy for ovarian cancer?

An oophorectomy may remove one ovary or both ovaries. In ovarian cancer, surgeons may also remove nearby tissue or organs when disease has spread, so the operation is often one part of a broader procedure rather than an isolated step.

The surgeon considers whether visible disease can be removed safely, the cancer's location, and your general health. Surgery may be planned before or after medicine such as chemotherapy. Removing the tumour burden can help subsequent treatment address remaining cancer cells, but surgery cannot by itself predict or guarantee the overall result.

Ask the gynaecologic oncology team whether the plan involves one ovary or both, what other tissue may need removal, and whether treatment is expected before or after surgery. Discuss recovery, fertility, hormonal effects, and options for managing early menopause if both ovaries are removed.

Bring a list of medicines and medical conditions to the preoperative appointment. Your team can explain the intended surgical goal, how it will be assessed, and which symptoms should be reported during recovery.

Contact the surgical team promptly for fever, worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, increasing redness or discharge from an incision, heavy vaginal bleeding, shortness of breath, or a swollen painful leg. Sudden severe symptoms need urgent medical assessment.

What is the goal of removing the ovary or ovaries in my case? How will you assess whether surgery achieved that goal? Which treatments might follow, and how could the operation affect fertility, hormones, and recovery?