Q. What does ovarian cancer surgery involve?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Seconmedic Expert

Ovarian cancer surgery is a complex and delicate procedure that requires specialized expertise and experience. Depending on the stage of the cancer, different surgical procedures may be used to treat it. In general, there are two main types of surgery for ovarian cancer: debulking or cytoreductive surgery, and staging laparotomy.

Debulking or cytoreductive surgery involves removing as much of the tumor as possible from the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, lymph nodes in the pelvis area and abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The goal is to reduce the amount of visible tumor before other treatments such as chemotherapy are administered. For early-stage cancers that have not spread beyond a single ovary or fallopian tube, removal of those organs may be all that’s needed to remove all visible tumors.

Staging Laparotomy is more extensive than cytoreduction and involves more organs in addition to removing any remaining tumors after cytoreduction surgery has been performed. During this procedure your doctor removes omentum which linings around your internal organs; they will also take tissue samples from surrounding areas within the abdomen including lymph nodes in order to test for metastatic disease (the presence of microscopic cancerous cells elsewhere in your body). This helps determine how far along your diagnosis is so further treatment options can be discussed if necessary.  A hysterectomy may also be performed during staging laparotomy depending on certain factors such as age or family history related to gynecological malignancies like cervical cancer.

Recovery from ovarian cancer surgery depends on various factors such as age, overall health condition prior to operation etc., but can take anywhere between weeks up until six months for full recovery with proper rest & care at home recommended by doctor following discharge instructions accordingly . Side effects vary & range from mild discomfort due painkillers applied post-surgery till heavy pain near incision site where cutting was done during process itself...so make sure you listen carefully what hospital staff advises/instructs regarding its care management after coming back home!

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