Ovarian Cancer Treatment Program

Overview

Specialists in the Center for Gynecologic Oncology are experienced in the treatment of all stages and forms of common and rare types of ovarian cancer, including:

• Epithelial cell
• Germ cell
• Stromal cell
• Extra-ovarian primary peritoneal carcinoma (EOPPC)

We are committed to providing you with compassionate, effective treatment based on the most advanced approaches for preserving sexual, reproductive and hormone function.

Innovative Approaches

In addition to traditional approaches, we offer the following innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer:

• Access to leading-edge medical therapies
• Newest surgical innovations with emphasis on minimally invasive procedures
• Integrative therapies, such as acupuncture and yoga

Our Breast and Ovarian Cancer Genetics Program helps to identify and provide comprehensive, coordinated medical care for families that have a hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer syndrome.

Expertise in Diagnosing and Staging Cancers

Our pathologists are sub-specialized in identifying gynecologic malignancies. This expertise leads to more accurate diagnosis and staging, which forms the basis for your treatment.

Our gynecologic cancer pathologists are internationally recognized and consulted on the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. They participate in tumor board meetings, sharing information about each patient’s unique cancer with the entire treatment team to help guide care planning.

Our diagnostic experts are aided by advanced technologies including blood testing for the CA-125 ovarian tumor marker.

Standard and Novel Medical Treatments

Our patients have access to traditional and innovative treatment approaches including:

• Intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which infuses medicine directly into the abdominal cavity to help improve outcomes and reduce side effects for women with advanced ovarian cancer
• Cancer immunotherapy, which entails vaccinating women with their own modified tumor cells or immune stimulants to bolster the body’s response to cancer therapies
• Therapies for drug-resistant tumors that help boost sensitivity to chemotherapy

Multidisciplinary Patient Care

Your personalized treatment plan will be developed by experts from an array of gynecologic cancer specialties. Depending on the stage and other characteristics of your cancer, this treatment plan may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these therapies.

The specialists involved in your care may include:

• Medical Oncologists to prescribe the most effective chemotherapy treatments and discuss available clinical trials
• Radiation Oncologists who specialize in delivering the highest therapeutic dose while protecting healthy tissue
• Surgical Oncologists experienced in the latest minimally-invasive gynecologic surgery approaches
• Oncology nurses and nurse practitioners who specialize in cancer care
• Pathologists specializing in gynecologic cancers who provide a precise diagnosis of your cancer
• Radiologists specializing in gynecologic malignancies that help guide the selection of appropriate imaging tests and provide accurate interpretation
• Oncology psychiatrists and social workers experienced in helping with the cognitive side effects of cancer and treatment, as well the emotional and spiritual aspects of the cancer experience
• A nutritionist to help you with questions about diet and nutrition during treatment
• Palliative care providers to improve quality of life

Excellence in Surgical Care

Our gynecologic oncology surgeons are experienced in treatment of rare and common cancers and are recognized leaders in their fields. Research has shown that surgeons performing higher volumes of particular procedures offer patients better outcomes. Studies also confirm that ovarian cancer patients initially treated by gynecologic oncologists have improved survival rates compared to those treated by general gynecologists or general surgeons.

Depending on the location and stage of your cancer, your care team may recommend:

• Cytoreductive surgery techniques that permit the complete or near complete removal of all cancerous tissue safely and effectively, which studies have found offers women with advanced ovarian cancer the best prognosis (outlook)
• Minimally invasive robotic assisted surgery
• Laparoscopic surgical techniques
• Comprehensive lymph node dissection to detect microscopic disease that otherwise might escape detection by imaging tests
• Salpingo-oophorectomy
• Hysterectomy

Learn about Mass General's Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Center.

Surgical Outcomes for the Ovaries & Uterus

The Center for Outcomes & Patient Safety in Surgery (COMPASS) ensures that data related to obstetric care and treatment of conditions of the ovaries & uterus is transparent and accessible for patients as they make important health decisions. 

In this video, learn about performance data for Mass General obstetric and gynecologic care.

Pioneering Radiation Therapies

Our specialized radiation teams offer a full spectrum of computer-controlled internal and external radiation treatments for ovarian cancer.

Learn about our gynecologic radiation oncology program.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies of new drugs, new combinations of drugs or already approved drugs being studied to treat patients in new and different ways. They may include new drug doses or new ways (schedules) to give the drugs. Clinical trials are run under strict guidelines. Their purpose is to help find out whether new cancer treatments are safe and effective or better than the standard (current) treatment.

Cancer is increasingly becoming a disease in which the genetic make-up of each individual cancer drives therapy. The Center for Gynecologic Oncology also has access to clinical trials involving these targeted therapy approaches.

Find listings of our current clinical trials for Ovarian Cancer.

Research

Join our ovarian cancer long-term survival study. If you are an eight-year or more stage III or stage IV ovarian cancer survivor, help to improve the treatment, survival and survivorship of all women with cancer.