Ovarian Cancer Treatment in Lucknow

Ovarian Cancer Treatment in Lucknow 

At Apollomedics, our multidisciplinary team of gynaecologists, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, and radiation specialists offers comprehensive ovarian cancer treatment. Our specialists assess the type and stage of ovarian cancer and then suggest the right treatment approach, as we believe that “one treatment doesn’t suit everyone.” 

Treatment starts with a consultation, after which the doctor suggests tests to diagnose the condition. Depending on the findings, they may suggest surgical procedures, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. They also advise patients to have regular follow-ups to make sure everything goes well during and after treatment. 

Ovarian Cancer Treatment at a Glance

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer occurs when the cells in the ovary start to grow and multiply abnormally. Usually, the cancer that starts in the fallopian tubes (tubes connecting the ovaries and the uterus) and cancer of the peritoneum (the abdomen lining) are also grouped as ovarian cancer. 

What are the Types of Ovarian Cancer?

There are more than 30 different types of ovarian cancer, each has its own characteristics and prognosis. Hence, it is important for women to be informed about the disease. 

Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer is one of the most common types of ovarian cancer. These cancer cells grow from the epithelial cells and cover the outer surface of the ovaries. It needs immediate medical attention, as if left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the organs, such as the abdomen and other nearby regions like lungs, bones, skin, and even brain.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is also classified into 5 different carcinomas -

Stromal Cell Cancer

Stromal Cell Cancer is a rare type of ovarian carcinoma, accounting for about 1% of all cases. They grow in the supporting cells of the ovary that help it function and produce female hormones, like oestrogen and progesterone. Different types of stromal cell cancers include - 

• Granulosa cell tumour
• Sertoli-cell tumour
• Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour

The most common symptom of Stromal cell cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding, and is most likely to occur either before puberty or after menopause. This is because some of these tumours also produce oestrogen; it can also cause hormonal imbalances and abnormal bleeding patterns. 

Germ Cell Tumours

Germ cell tumours are a rare type of ovarian cancer. They grow in the cells responsible for producing eggs (ova). Dysgerminoma is one of the common types of germ cell tumour, and is usually seen in teenagers and women in their 20s. Though dysgerminoma is malignant, it grows and spreads slowly compared to other ovarian cancers. 

Germ cell tumours may also develop in other parts of the body, including the central nervous system (which is often considered the rarest of the cases). 

Borderline Ovarian Tumours

Borderline ovarian tumour is also known as low malignant potential (LMP) tumours. The abnormal cell growth covers the ovary. These tumours are not completely cancerous but might showcase some malignant features. 

What are the Possible Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are quite common and may occur for several reasons. So, if a person is experiencing one or more of them, it doesn’t necessarily mean cancer. However, if symptoms are persistent and unusual or if they are getting worse, it is a good idea to speak to a healthcare professional. 

• Bloating or feeling of fullness
• Urgent need to urinate (frequent urination)
• Mild or persistent pelvic pain
• Feeling fuller sooner than usual while eating
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits 

Other reported symptoms may also include - 

• Fatigue
• Difficulty in digesting food
• Back pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Irregular menstruation
• Constipation
• Shortness of breath

Note: The symptoms mentioned above do not exactly indicate the condition; hence, talk to a professional for thorough evaluation. 

What are the Causes of Ovarian Cancer?

The causes of ovarian cancer are not fully understood, but it is linked to cell mutation and hereditary factors. Doctors also know that when the cells start to grow abnormally (meaning the DNA of the cells in or near the ovaries changes or mutates). This develops into a mass, also known as a tumour, which turns into cancer cells. 

The cancer cells don’t die; instead they continue to live, while the healthy cells grow and die. They can invade the nearby tissue and infect other organs by spreading (metastasizing). 

What are the Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer?

Here are some risk factors of ovarian cancer -

• Family History: People with a family history of breast/ovarian/tubal/peritoneal cancer may also require cancer screening.
• BRCA Mutations: BRCA 1 and 2 hereditary mutations might raise lifetime risk.
• Other Genetic Changes: Other gene changes associated with Lynch Syndrome and the genes BRIP1, RAD51C, and RAD51D may also increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
• Age: The risk of ovarian cancer increases with increasing age; hence, it is most often diagnosed in older women.
• Hormone Therapy History: Taking hormone replacement therapy to control signs and symptoms of menopause may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
• Reproductive History: If a person has never been pregnant, there might be an increased risk of ovarian cancer. 

What is the Diagnosis for Ovarian Cancer?

Tests and procedures are done to accurately locate the cancerous cells in the ovary. At Apollo Hospitals, Lucknow, doctors may suggest:

Ovarian Cancer Staging: Stages I to IV

When diagnosing the cancer, doctors also determine whether the cancer has spread and, if it has, how far. This is called staging. The type of cancer and which stage it is at are determined during the surgery. 

Ovarian cancer is staged from 1 to 4, which is further broken down into smaller groups. This describes the characteristics of the cancer well and in more detail. 

Stage I

Stage I cancer is either in one or both ovaries. It may also be on the outer surface of the ovaries or in the abdominal fluid. It is divided into three substages -

Stage II

In stage II ovarian cancer, the cancerous cells spread to other organs in the body. It is further divided into two substages: 

Stage III

In stage III, cancer spreads to the lymph nodes and other organs, such as the peritoneum, abdominal lining, or to the outer surface of the spleen or liver. Stage III is also divided into 2 categories: 

Stage IV

At stage IV, cancer spreads to the lymph nodes outside the abdomen or to inside the lungs, spleen, brain, or liver. 

What are the Treatment Options for Ovarian Cancer?

Surgery

Surgery for ovarian cancer includes cytoreductive/debulking surgery. This aims to remove as much tumour as possible. It is mostly performed and is deemed important in cases where the cancerous cells spread throughout the abdomen at the time of surgery. 

A cancer can be considered debulked when there is no visible cancer or no cells left behind. If there’s any bit of tumour left (more than ½ inch), it is considered sub-optimally debulked. 

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is generally administered after surgery. This removes any remaining cancer cells. Here are three ways chemotherapy is usually given: 

Radiation 

This is rarely used as primary treatment, and is sometimes used for recurrence. It is used for targeted symptom control, painful localised recurrences, or palliative care to protect nearby healthy organs like the bowel and bladder. 

At Apollo Hospitals, Lucknow, our specialists use precision tools like IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy), IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy), RapidArc, or Proton Therapy. 

HIPEC

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy is an advanced, two-step treatment that uses maximal surgical tumour removal with a heated sterile chemotherapy bath circulated directly inside the abdomen. In some cases, first, our doctors - 

• Use cytoreductive surgery to remove all the visible and palpable tumours from the abdominal cavity.
• Then, sterile chemotherapy is pumped through the abdomen for 60 to 90 minutes, while the patient stays under anaesthesia.
• Lastly, the heated fluid is drained, the abdomen is rinsed, and incisions are closed. 

Recovery & Follow-up After Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Post-treatment, the patients are monitored under proper care and surveillance. Follow-up is scheduled every 3-6 months to check the patient’s condition, address any complications, and ensure that the patient is recovering properly. The frequency of visits is determined by the following -

• The kind of cancer a patient had
• The treatment approach
• The overall health of the patient

Post-Treatment Recovery Phase

After the treatment, some side effects are probably to be expected, such as - 

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Change in blood (anaemia, lower white blood cells)
• Nerve damage
• Hair changes
• Infertility
• Menopause

If these issues persist, talk to our doctors. They will help the patient through consultation and suggest medications to help curb the symptoms. 

Why Choose Apollomedics?

Experienced Team of Oncologists

• Specialised gynaecologic oncologists who bring decades of clinical expertise and training
• Clinicians who focus solely on specific tumour sites
• Specialists are trained in pelvic tumour resections and cytoreductive surgeries
• Collaboration between specialists and surgeons to support treatment planning

Individual Treatment Planning

• Treatments are based on staging, diagnosis, the genetic footprint of the tumour, and the overall health of the patient.
• Dedicated screening and tracking for ovarian cancers.
• Access to minimally invasive and complex cancer surgeries

Advanced Surgical Technology

• Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System
• Specialised cancer surgery
• Modular operation theatres
• High-definition, magnified visualisation

Multidisciplinary Support

• Support across diagnosis and treatment
• Follow-up is required every 3-6 months (depending on the condition and the type of cancer)
• Collaborative approach to decide which treatment is considered best

Meet Our Specialist

Dr. Esha Pai

Dr Esha Pai is a surgical oncologist at Apollo Hospitals Lucknow with over 13+ years of experience. She is trained in robotic cancer surgery and works with other cancer specialists to plan the right treatment depending on the patient’s individual condition. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the early signs of ovarian cancer?

Ans. Early signs of ovarian cancer may include persistent abdominal bloating, pelvic pain, and feeling full quickly without eating much. 

 

2. What is the CA-125 test and how is it used?

Ans. CA-125 is a simple blood test that measures the amount of cancer antigen 125. It is a protein found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells and normal tissues. It is mostly used to determine the success of treatment and check whether the cancer has returned or will return. 

 

3. Is ovarian cancer hereditary?

Ans. Yes. About 10-25% of all ovarian cancer is hereditary. This mostly happens when abnormal genes are passed down from a mother or a father. 

 

4.   What is debulking surgery?

Ans. Also known as cytoreductive surgery, debulking surgery is an operation to remove most of the cancerous cells when the entire mass of the tumour cannot be taken out. 

5.   What is HIPEC and when is it used?

Ans. HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) is a two-step cancer treatment in which the surgeon removes the tumours and then circulates heated chemotherapy drugs directly inside the abdomen for 30-90 minutes. This is used when the cancer has spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity. 

6.   How is ovarian cancer staged?

Ans. Ovarian cancer is staged from 1-4 using the FIGO System based on the spread of the cancer. 

7.   Can ovarian cancer be detected early?

Ans. At the early stage, ovarian cancer is really challenging to detect. 

8.   What is the difference between an ovarian cyst and ovarian cancer?

Ans. A cyst in the ovary is a fluid-filled sac on the surface or inside the ovary. However, ovarian cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that grows rapidly and forms a malignant tumour.