When is chemotherapy recommended for ovarian cancer?

The team considers the cancer type, grade, stage, visible disease after surgery, symptoms, previous treatment and overall health. Chemotherapy after surgery can treat cells that remain too small to see on scans. If an operation needs to be delayed or the disease is extensive, medicines may be given first and surgery considered after the response is assessed. When ovarian cancer returns, chemotherapy choices depend partly on the previous medicines and how long control lasted. Targeted or maintenance treatment may also be discussed when tumour features support it.

Ask the gynaecological oncology team whether surgery comes before or after chemotherapy and what the treatment goal is. Discuss blood tests, kidney function, nerve symptoms, hearing, allergies, bowel symptoms and medicines that may affect treatment. Ask about fertility, menopause symptoms, nutrition and a plan for managing nausea, fatigue, infection risk or hair changes. Keep contact details for the treatment unit available between visits.

Seek urgent help for severe abdominal swelling or pain, repeated vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, fainting, chest pain or breathing difficulty. During chemotherapy, report fever or chills immediately, as well as persistent diarrhoea, reduced urine, confusion, unusual bleeding or sudden weakness. These symptoms can signal bowel blockage, infection, dehydration, bleeding or another complication requiring assessment.

Is chemotherapy planned before or after surgery? What did the pathology show? How will response be monitored? Which side effects need urgent attention, and who should I contact outside clinic hours?