Does ovarian cancer hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy work?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on November 05, 2024
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Patients with ovarian cancer are prone to peritoneal metastasis, so many patients develop ascites during the discovery of the disease or its progression. A large amount of ascites is a common concurrent symptom in patients with ovarian cancer. For patients with significant ascites like this, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can be performed, which involves infusing chemotherapy drugs into the abdominal cavity and then combining it with thermotherapy. This treatment generally has a decent effect, especially in controlling the spread of cancer cells in the peritoneum and managing ascites.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Early Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Patients with ovarian cancer may have relatively hidden clinical symptoms in the early stages, possibly without any specific discomfort, or just mild lower abdominal bloating or pain. Symptoms tend to become more apparent only when the tumor progressively enlarges or when ascites occur, such as increased abdominal bloating and pain. Furthermore, during a physical examination, a solid or cystic-solid mass can be palpated in the pelvic area. Ascites can also lead to clinical symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. In the late stages, partial intestinal obstruction or symptoms related to pelvic compression may appear.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Can ovarian cancer be cured?

Whether ovarian cancer can be cured depends on the clinical stage of the patient, as well as the patient's sensitivity to treatment, among other factors. If it is a case of early-stage ovarian cancer, curative surgery can be performed. After surgery, based on the pathology, it can be decided whether postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy is necessary. Patients with early-stage ovarian cancer who undergo surgery or postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy may have hope for a cure. However, if the cancer is discovered at a late stage where it has spread extensively, such as widespread metastasis to the pelvic area, or even to distant organs like the lungs or liver, then the treatment for these patients is primarily chemotherapy. A cure is not achievable; the treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and prolong the patient's life. Thus, for patients with late-stage ovarian cancer, treatment cannot achieve a curative purpose.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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How is ovarian cancer treated?

Our treatment principle is that once an ovarian tumor is detected, surgical treatment should be performed. First and foremost, we need to confirm the diagnosis. Second, we should clarify the pathological staging of the ovarian cancer to guide the treatment. It's not a single approach; it's a comprehensive treatment plan. For example, if it is early stage and there are no surgical contraindications, we can proceed with surgical treatment. After the surgery, we can provide adjunctive chemotherapy. If surgery is not immediately feasible, we can also provide neoadjuvant therapy to reduce the stage before proceeding with ovarian cancer surgery. Moreover, there is now targeted therapy and immunotherapy for ovarian cancer, so it is a comprehensive treatment plan.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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How is ovarian cancer screened?

The most commonly used screening method for ovarian cancer is the B-ultrasound examination of the adnexa uteri. The B-ultrasound can detect ovarian masses and tumors, and when these are found, the possibility of ovarian cancer should be considered, necessitating further examinations for confirmation. Another method involves the tumor marker CA125, which is relatively sensitive and specific for epithelial ovarian cancer. Therefore, for ovarian cancer screening, we can perform a blood test for CA125 in conjunction with a B-ultrasound of the adnexa uteri.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Ovarian cancer is discovered through transvaginal ultrasound of the adnexa uteri revealing ovarian tumors, or through imaging studies such as abdominal CT scans or MRIs showing ovarian tumors, combined with tumor markers, particularly the ovarian epithelial cancer tumor marker CA125, which will be significantly elevated. Generally, with these findings, ovarian cancer can typically be clinically diagnosed. Confirmation, however, requires pathological diagnosis, which involves obtaining a biopsy of the tumor. This can be done through a puncture biopsy or through pathological examination after surgical excision to confirm ovarian cancer. Additionally, some patients with ovarian cancer present with substantial ascites at the time of discovery. If cancer cells are found in the abdominal fluid, combined with a significant increase in CA125 and imaging studies showing ovarian tumors, ovarian cancer can also be diagnosed.