Is chemotherapy effective after the recurrence of ovarian cancer?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on December 11, 2024
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After the recurrence of ovarian cancer, most patients can still benefit from chemotherapy again, as ovarian cancer itself is relatively sensitive to chemotherapy compared to other types of malignant tumors. If the recurrence occurs more than six months after the initial treatment, the same chemotherapy drugs used initially can still be chosen. However, if the recurrence happens within six months, the chemotherapy plan should include different drugs that were not used previously.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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What causes ovarian cancer?

The causes of ovarian cancer, and its mechanism of onset, are not yet very clear. Some risk factors that have been relatively well established in relation to the occurrence of ovarian cancer include early menarche, which means starting menstruation at an earlier age, late menopause, and not having a history of pregnancy; these conditions are some of the risk factors for ovarian cancer. Additionally, the occurrence of ovarian cancer is also somewhat related to familial or genetic factors.

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Written by Wu Xia
Oncology
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What to eat for difficulty in defecation due to ovarian cancer?

If the difficulty in defecation is due to ovarian cancer involving the rectum or other parts, we can apply anti-tumor treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy to control the condition and facilitate defecation. If the issue is caused by painkillers or the patient's inherent constipation, diet is crucial. The diet must include an adequate amount of fiber, more vegetables, and fruits. Avoid overly refined staple foods and include more whole grains. Drinking a glass of saltwater or honey water on an empty stomach in the morning, combined with appropriate waist and abdominal massage, can enhance the effect of facilitating bowel movements. If these measures are still ineffective, laxatives such as sodium docupate or lactulose may be used, along with some traditional Chinese medicines.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What are the symptoms and early signs of ovarian cancer?

The symptoms and early signs of ovarian cancer mainly include the following aspects. Patients may experience persistent lower abdominal pain for no apparent reason, and some patients may experience radiating pain in the vulvar area, while others may show early clinical signs of abdominal bloating. The symptoms and early signs of ovarian cancer are not very numerous. Some patients may exhibit menstrual irregularities, such as increased or decreased menstruation, prolonged periods, or irregular vaginal bleeding. A few patients may experience abnormal vaginal discharge, which can be mixed with an unusual odor and a small amount of blood.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Ultrasound or CT scans detecting ovarian masses, in combination with biopsy or cytological examination that identify cancer cells, can diagnose ovarian cancer. A common method of biopsy includes ultrasound-guided procedures or transvaginal cul-de-sac puncture biopsy of ovarian masses, enabling clear pathological confirmation. Additionally, exploratory laparotomy or early radical surgery for ovarian cancer patients can yield a postoperative pathological diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Moreover, the presence of ascites is a common symptom in ovarian cancer patients; finding cancer cells, especially adenocarcinoma, in ascites, coupled with significantly elevated tumor marker CA125, or ultrasound or CT imagery revealing ovarian masses, can also diagnose ovarian cancer.

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Written by Wu Xia
Oncology
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Can ovarian cancer be inherited?

Ovarian cancer, like most tumors, has genetic factors involved in its etiology, but it is not a genetic disease. Only five to ten percent of ovarian cancer patients have a genetic background. More than ninety percent of ovarian cancer cases are sporadic, meaning that if a mother has ovarian cancer, it does not directly inherit to her daughter. However, individuals with a family history of ovarian cancer have a significantly higher risk of developing the disease compared to the general population, especially those who carry mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These gene mutations can be inherited from parents, so individuals carrying these mutations have a significantly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer than the healthy population.