What is the first treatment for ovarian cancer?

A gynaecological cancer team reviews scans, biopsy findings, the cancer’s spread and your general health before recommending an order. Ovarian debulking surgery aims to remove as much visible disease as safely possible. An oophorectomy removes one or both ovaries when this is part of the operation. Chemotherapy can be given before surgery to shrink disease, or after surgery to treat cancer cells that may remain. Tumour profiling and BRCA genetic testing may help identify treatments that fit the tumour and inherited risk.

Ask whether the plan starts with an operation or chemotherapy, and what the scans show about operability. Before treatment, discuss recovery, fertility and menopause effects, nutrition, symptom control and how treatment timing will be arranged. Keep a record of medicines and new symptoms, and arrange support for transport and recovery if surgery is planned.

Contact your oncology team promptly for worsening abdominal swelling or pain, repeated vomiting, inability to pass stool or urine, fever, breathlessness or sudden weakness. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, collapse, heavy bleeding or confusion.

Which treatment should come first for my stage and scan findings? Is surgery intended to remove all visible disease? What side effects need same-day advice? Will tumour profiling or BRCA testing affect the plan?