Expectations  Of Ovarian cancer is rarely diagnosed in its early stages and is generally well advanced at the time of diagnosis, which often provides a poor prognosis. Approximately 76% of women with ovarian cancer survive one year after diagnosis.

About 45% live more than 5 years after diagnosis. If the diagnosis is made in the early stages of the disease and treatment is received before the cancer spreads outside the ovary, the survival rate at 5 years is about 94%. Complications:

• Cancer spreading to other organs
• Loss of organ function
• Fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
• Intestinal obstruction

Calling your health care provider:

Make an appointment with your doctor if you are a woman over 40 years old who has not had a pelvic exam recently. Pap smears or Pap tests and pelvic examinations are routinely recommended for all women over age 20. Call your doctor if you have symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer Treatment:

Surgery is the preferred treatment is often needed to diagnose ovarian cancer.

• Studies have shown that surgery performed by a specialist in gynecologic oncology resulted in a higher cure rate.
• Chemotherapy is used after surgery to treat any remaining disease can also be used if the cancer recurs.
• Radiation therapy is rarely used to treat ovarian cancer in the United States.
• After treatment, women are commonly monitored with CA-125 and CT scans.