Ovarian cancers are a dangerous group of diseases that affect the female egg-producing organs known as ovaries. Doctors frequently treat ovarian cancer with regular systemic chemotherapy and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which delivers treatment directly to the abdomen.
Systemic Chemotherapy
Systemic (system-wide) chemotherapy medications are typically administered through an intravenous (IV) line. According to the Mayo Clinic, doctors frequently use a systemic combination of the drugs paclitaxel (Taxol) and carboplatin (Paraplatin) to treat ovarian cancer.
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
Doctors inject intraperitoneal chemotherapy medications through a catheter mounted in a surgically implanted abdominal port.
Combined Chemotherapy
In addition to other medical options, doctors may treat early-stage ovarian cancer with systemic chemotherapy. In later-stage ovarian cancer, they may combine systemic chemotherapy with intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
Side Effects and Toxicity
Potential side effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, nerve injury, lack of sexual interest and loss of memory or concentration. Women undergoing combined chemotherapy may experience the increased toxic effects of treatment.
Considerations
Despite potential toxic side effects, the combination of systemic and intraperitoneal chemotherapy increases the survival rate for individuals with advanced ovarian cancer.
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