what is the limit of number of chemo treatment for ovarian cancer

Full Answer

How many doses of chemotherapy do you get for ovarian cancer?

For example, if you have advanced ovarian cancer, you may get a course of chemotherapy every three weeks for six doses. Different drugs have varying cycles; your oncologist will prescribe the particular cycle or schedule for your chemotherapy.

When do you have chemotherapy for ovarian cancer?

You might have chemotherapy after surgery, or both before and after. Doctors often use the drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel for ovarian cancer. When do you have chemotherapy? You might have chemotherapy on its own or combined with surgery. You might have it: Who has chemotherapy?

What is the typical course of chemo for epithelial ovarian cancer?

The typical course of chemo for epithelial ovarian cancer involves 3 to 6 cycles of treatment, depending on the stage and type of ovarian cancer. A cycle is a schedule of regular doses of a drug, followed by a rest period. Different drugs have varying cycles; your doctor will let you know what schedule is planned for your chemo.

What is the best chemo drug for ovarian cancer?

Some of the other chemo drugs that are helpful in treating ovarian cancer include: 1 Albumin bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel, Abraxane ®). 2 Altretamine (Hexalen ®). 3 Capecitabine (Xeloda ®). 4 Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan ®). 5 Etoposide (VP-16). 6 ... (more items)

How many times can you have chemotherapy for ovarian cancer?

These drugs are usually given as an IV (put into a vein) every 3 to 4 weeks. The typical course of chemo for epithelial ovarian cancer involves 3 to 6 cycles of treatment, depending on the stage and type of ovarian cancer. A cycle is a schedule of regular doses of a drug, followed by a rest period.

What is the maximum number of chemotherapy cycles?

During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.

How many times can a cancer patient have chemo?

You may get treatments daily, weekly, or monthly, but they're usually given in on-and-off cycles. This means, for example, that you may get chemo the first 2 weeks and then have a week off, making it a cycle that will start over every 3 weeks. The time off lets your body build healthy new cells and regain its strength.

Can you have more than one course of chemotherapy?

You usually have cancer drug treatment in cycles. A cycle means that you have a single cancer drug or a combination of drugs and then have a rest to allow your body to recover. You might have some chemotherapy injections over a day or two and then have some time with no treatment.

What happens after 3rd chemo treatment?

Nausea, vomiting, and taste changes You may experience nausea (feeling like you might throw up) and vomiting (throwing up) after your last chemotherapy treatment. It should go away in 2 to 3 weeks. Your appetite may continue to be affected due to taste changes you may have experienced during your treatment.

How long can chemo prolong life?

For most cancers where palliative chemotherapy is used, this number ranges from 3-12 months. The longer the response, the longer you can expect to live.

How do doctors know how long you have left to live?

There are numerous measures – such as medical tests, physical exams and the patient's history – that can also be used to produce a statistical likelihood of surviving a specific length of time.

What happens when chemo stops working?

This is called first-line treatment. You'll continue this treatment until it's no longer effectively treating your cancer or until the side effects are intolerable. At this point, your oncologist may offer to start you on a new regimen called a second-line treatment plan.

Can cancer spread while on chemo?

While chemotherapy is one of the oldest and most successful ways of treating cancer, it doesn't always work. So, yes, cancer can spread during chemotherapy. Spreading could mean the tumor keeps growing, or that the original tumor shrinks, but cancer metastasizes, forming tumors in other areas of the body.

What are the signs that chemo is not working?

Here are some signs that chemotherapy may not be working as well as expected: tumors aren't shrinking. new tumors keep forming. cancer is spreading to new areas.

What is the strongest chemo drug?

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is one of the most powerful chemotherapy drugs ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat a wide variety of cancers. Unfortunately, the drug can also damage heart cells, so a patient can't take it indefinitely.

What are the signs that chemo is working?

Complete response - all of the cancer or tumor disappears; there is no evidence of disease. A tumor marker (if applicable) may fall within the normal range. Partial response - the cancer has shrunk by a percentage but disease remains. A tumor marker (if applicable) may have fallen but evidence of disease remains.

Chemotherapy For Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Chemo for ovarian cancer usually involves getting two different types of drugs together. Getting a combination of drugs instead of just one drug al...

Chemotherapy For Germ Cell Tumors

If you have a germ cell tumor, you will likely be treated with combination chemo (several different drugs at once). The combination used most often...

Chemotherapy For Stromal Tumors

Ovarian stromal tumors are not often treated with chemotherapy, but when they are, the combination of carboplatin plus paclitaxel or PEB (cisplatin...

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Chemo drugs can cause side effects. These depend on the type and dose of drugs given, and the length of treatment. Some of the most common possible...

Which Treatments Are Used For Ovarian Cancer?

There are several ways to treat ovarian cancer, depending on its type and stage.Local treatments: Some treatments are local, meaning they treat the...

How Is Ovarian Cancer Typically Treated?

Most women with ovarian cancer will have some type of surgery to remove the tumor. Depending on the type of ovarian cancer and how advanced it is,...

Who Treats Ovarian Cancer?

Doctors on your cancer treatment team might include: 1. A gynecologic oncologist: a gynecology doctor who is specially trained to use surgery to tr...

Making Treatment Decisions

It’s important to discuss all of your treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decisi...

Help Getting Through Cancer Treatment

Your cancer care team will be your first source of information and support, but there are other resources for help when you need it. Hospital- or c...

What is local treatment for ovarian cancer?

Some treatments are local, meaning they treat the tumor without affecting the rest of the body. Types of local therapy used for ovarian cancer include: Surgery for Ovarian Cancer. Radiation Therapy for Ovarian Cancer.

What kind of doctor treats ovarian cancer?

Based on your treatment options, you might have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors could include: 1 A gynecologic oncologist: a gynecology doctor who is specially trained to use surgery to treat ovarian cancer; many times they are also the ones to give chemotherapy and other medicines to treat ovarian cancer 2 A radiation oncologist: a doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer 3 A medical oncologist: a doctor who uses chemotherapy and other medicines to treat cancer

What is the difference between a gynecologic oncologist and a radiation oncologist

A gynecologic oncologist: a gynecology doctor who is specially trained to use surgery to treat ovarian cancer; many times they are also the ones to give chemotherapy and other medicines to treat ovarian cancer. A radiation oncologist: a doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer. A medical oncologist: a doctor who uses chemotherapy ...

What do people with cancer need?

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

What is a radiation oncologist?

A radiation oncologist: a doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer. A medical oncologist: a doctor who uses chemotherapy and other medicines to treat cancer. Many other specialists might be part of your treatment team as well, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, sex counselors, social workers, nutritionists, ...

What are the services offered by the American Cancer Society?

These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help. The American Cancer Society also has programs and services – including rides to treatment, lodging, and more – to help you get through treatment.

Is ovarian cancer a systemic disease?

Drugs used to treat ovarian cancer are considered systemic therapies because they can reach cancer cells almost anywhere in the body. They can be given by mouth or put directly into the bloodstream.

How often do you get chemotherapy?

For example, if you have advanced ovarian cancer, you may get a course of chemotherapy every three weeks for six doses. Different drugs have varying cycles; your oncologist will prescribe the particular cycle or schedule for your chemotherapy.

What is the best treatment for ovarian cancer?

Chemotherapy is usually recommended after surgery for most stages of ovarian cancer. A combination of chemotherapy medications is typically used. The primary goal of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer cells by preventing them from growing and dividing rapidly and to bring about cancer remission.

How long does it take to get chemo?

The chemotherapy itself may take five to six hours, depending on the drug combination. That does not include the time required to perform blood tests and a physical exam that are often necessary prior to receiving chemotherapy.

Where is chemo injected?

People with advanced ovarian cancer may have intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy, where medications are injected through a catheter or port in your abdomen. 3. Does it matter where I receive chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is usually administered in a doctor's office, clinic, or outpatient unit at a hospital.

Where is chemo administered?

Chemotherapy is usually administered in a doctor's office, clinic, or outpatient unit at a hospital. Chemotherapy follows a standard protocol, so your care should not vary greatly from place to place. You may decide to travel to an academic hospital, especially if you are interested in participating in clinical trials.

What is clinical trial?

Clinical trials are designed to find better ways to treat cancer. In order to participate in a clinical trial or research study, you must meet certain requirements. For example, some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment. Talk to your oncologist about your eligibility.

Surgery

Surgery is the main treatment option that doctors use to treat most ovarian cancers.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy involves healthcare professionals using high energy X-rays or particles to kill cancer cells. Doctors do not often use radiation therapy for ovarian cancer treatment, as aggressive chemotherapy is often more effective. However, it may help treat areas to which the cancer has spread.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is usually a systemic treatment, wherein drugs enter directly into the bloodstream and reach almost all bodily areas. Doctors often give chemotherapy intravenously, orally, or through a catheter into the abdominal cavity.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy involves a doctor using hormones or hormone-blocking drugs. Doctors do not often use this type of treatment for the most common type of ovarian cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer. However, they are likely to use this treatment for ovarian stromal tumors, which grow in the connective tissue of the ovaries.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs to identify and attack cancer cells without significantly damaging normal healthy cells. Each type of targeted therapy works differently, but they all affect how cancer cells:

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, which involves using the body’s own immune system against cancer, may also be an option in some cases. For example, a doctor might recommend combining another therapy type with immunotherapy for additional benefit or in cases where other treatment options have not been effective.

How many cycles of chemo for stage 2 ovarian cancer?

The surgeon will try to remove as much of the tumor as possible. After surgery, chemo is recommended for at least 6 cycles. The combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel is used most often. Some women with stage II ovarian cancer are treated with intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy instead of intravenous (IV) chemotherapy.

How to treat invasive ovarian cancer?

Treatment of Invasive Epithelial Ovarian Cancers, by Stage. The first step in treating most stages of ovarian cancer is surgery to remove and stage the cancer. Debulking is also done as needed. (See Surgery for Ovarian Cancer .) Because fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers have the same staging system as ovarian cancers they are included ...

How many cycles of chemo are given before surgery?

If the chemo works and the woman becomes stronger, surgery to debulk the cancer may be done, often followed by more chemo. Most often, 3 cycles of chemo are given before surgery, with at least 3 more after surgery (for a total of at least 6 cycles).

What is the treatment for stage 1 ovarian cancer?

Stage I cancers. The initial treatment for stage I ovarian cancer is surgery to remove the tumor. Most often the uterus, both fallopian tubes, and both ovaries are removed (a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy). The treatment after surgery depends on the sub-stage of the cancer. Stages IA and IB (T1a or T1b, N0, M0): The treatment ...

What is the treatment for grade 3 cancer?

For grade 3 (high grade) tumors, the treatment usually includes the same chemotherapy that is given for grade 2 Stage IA and IB cancers. Stage IC (T1c, N0, M0): Standard surgery to remove the cancer is still the first treatment. After surgery, chemo is recommended, usually with 3 to 6 cycles of treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

What is recurrent ovarian cancer?

Recurrent or persistent ovarian cancer. Cancer is called recurrent when it come backs after treatment. Recurrence can be local (in or near the same place it started) or distant (spread to organs like the lungs or bone). Persistent tumors are those that never went away completely after treatment.

What stage of cancer is treated after surgery?

The treatment after surgery depends on the sub-stage of the cancer. Stages IA and IB (T1a or T1b, N0, M0): The treatment after surgery depends on the way the cancer cells looks in the lab (called the tumor grade ). For grade 1 (also called low grade) tumors, most women don't need any treatment after surgery.

What is the treatment for ovarian cancer?

The drugs circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream. You might have chemotherapy after surgery, or both before and after. Doctors often use the drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel for ovarian cancer.

How often do you get chemo?

You usually have chemotherapy once every 3 weeks. You usually have the chemotherapy drugs on day 1 followed by a rest period to allow you to recover from side effects. Each 3 week period is called a cycle of treatment. You normally have about 6 cycles in all, but you may have more.

What is CA125 blood test?

CA125 blood test. CA125 is a protein made by some ovarian cancer cells that circulates in the bloodstream. Doctors usually measure it before you start treatment. If you had high levels, your doctor will expect the level to fall as the chemotherapy destroys the cancer cells. You might have CA125 blood tests before each chemotherapy treatment ...

What is the number to call for chemo?

Tell your doctor or nurse about any problems or side effects that you have. The nurse will give you telephone numbers to call if you have any problems at home. If you have any questions about chemotherapy, you can talk to Cancer Research UK's information nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

What stage of cancer does chemo need to be?

You might have chemotherapy if your cancer is: stage 1c or above. at an earlier stage (1a or 1b), but is high grade.

When do you need to have a blood test for chemo?

You have these either a few days before or on the day you start treatment. You have blood tests before each round or cycle of treatment. The pharmacists make chemotherapy for each person individually.

Can you bring a friend to chemo?

You can usually bring a friend or family member with you. You have some types of chemotherapy over several days. You might be able to have some drugs through a small portable pump that you take home. For some types of chemotherapy you have to stay in a hospital ward. This could be overnight or for a couple of days.

How often does chemotherapy repeat?

Frequency of the Cycle. Chemotherapy may repeat weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Usually, a cycle is defined in monthly intervals. For example, two bi-weekly chemotherapy sessions may be classified as one cycle.

How is the length of chemotherapy determined?

Length of Chemotherapy Treatment. The length of chemotherapy treatment is determined by a variety of factors. These include the type of cancer, the extent of cancer, the types of drugs that are given, as well as the expected toxicities of the drugs and the amount of time necessary to recover from these toxicities.

How long does chemotherapy last?

When cure is the treatment goal. Adjuvant chemotherapy (therapy after surgery has removed all visible cancer) may last 4-6 months. Adjuvant chemotherapy is common in cancers of the breast and colon. In cancers of the testis, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemias, length of chemotherapy treatment may be up to a year.

What happens if chemo doesn't disappear?

If the disease shrinks but does not disappear, chemotherapy will continue as long as it is tolerated and the disease does not grow. If the disease grows, the chemotherapy will be stopped. Depending on the health and wishes of the patient, either different drugs will be given to try to kill the cancer, or chemotherapy will be stopped and ...

What is the follow up for ovarian cancer?

Follow-up for ovarian cancer usually includes blood tests for tumor markers or hormones that help recognize recurrence. The choice of which blood tests to do depends on the type of cancer a woman has.

What to do if you have ovarian cancer?

If you have (or have had) ovarian cancer, you probably want to know if there are things you can do that might lower your risk of the cancer growing or coming back, such as exercising, eating a certain type of diet, or taking nutritional supplements.

What blood test is used to detect ovarian cancer?

Blood tests for tumor markers 1 For epithelial ovarian cancer, CA-125 is the tumor marker used most often to check for recurrence. But it is not clear if checking for CA-125 levels and treating you before you have symptoms will help you live longer. Treatment based only on CA-125 levels and not symptoms can increase side effects, so it is important to discuss the pros and cons of CA-125 monitoring and quality of life with your doctor. Tests for other tumor markers, such as CA 19-9, CEA, and HE-4, are used most often for women whose CA-125 levels never went up. 2 For germ cell tumors, blood is tested for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and/or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). 3 For stromal cancers, checking levels of hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and inhibin is sometimes helpful.

What is a PCP for cancer?

Reminders to keep your appointments with your primary care provider (PCP) who will monitor your general health care, including your cancer screening tests.

How long do side effects of cancer last?

Some cancer treatment side effects may last a long time or might not even show up until years after you have finished treatment. Your doctor visits are a good time to ask questions and talk about any changes or problems you notice or concerns you have. To some extent, the frequency of follow up visits and tests will depend on the stage ...

What is a survivorship plan?

This plan might include: A schedule for other tests you might need in the future, such as early detection (screening) tests for other types of cancer, or tests to look for long-term health effects from your cancer or its treatment.

Does ovarian cancer go away?

For other people, ovarian cancer never goes away completely. Some women may be treated with chemotherapy on and off for years. Learning to live with cancer that does not go away can be difficult and very stressful. Life after ovarian cancer means returning to some familiar things and also making some new choices.

Stage I Cancers

Stage II Cancers

• For stage II (including IIA and IIB) cancers, treatment starts with surgery for staging and debulking. This includes a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The surgeon will try to remove as much of the tumor as possible. After surgery, chemois recommended for at least 6 cycles. The combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel is used most...

See more on cancer.org

Stage III Cancers

Stage IV Cancers

Recurrent Or Persistent Ovarian Cancer

Palliative Treatments