1-10-06

Ovarian Cancer

A new treatment offers hope to patients who have ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal type of cancer in women, with most patients not surviving more than five years after diagnosis. A recent study by the National Cancer Institute shows that a rarely used treatment, known as intraperitoneal (intra-parent’ -neal) chemotherapy, which pumps large doses of drugs into a woman's abdominal cavity increases her survival by about 16 months. Dr. Stewart Massad, associate professor and chief of gynecologic oncology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, says this is important information for women.

SOUND BITE: ". . . surgery by a gynecologic specialist is critically important for treating people who have ovarian cancer. For women who have all the bulky cancer removed at the time of her initial surgery, there is now good evidence of the benefits of intraperitoneal chemotherapy."

Dr. Massad says as a follow up to surgery for stage 3 ovarian cancer patients, this chemotherapy is given directly into the abdominal cavity. However, the side effects have been significant, causing many patients to drop out of the study. Currently the treatment is available only in a few places in Illinois, including Springfield. Dr. Massad says ovarian cancer is often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are vague and can include. . .

SOUND BITE: " . . . bloating, nausea or rectal pressure. Changes in waist size before they actually are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. But most women don’t have significant symptoms and certainly, aren't diagnosed until the cancer is advanced."

Dr. Massad says women with these symptoms should see their gynecologist for an evaluation. If ovarian cancer is suspected, they may be referred to an oncologist for possible treatment.