The first step after an initial diagnosis of ovarian cancer will be a conversation about whether surgery — to remove as much of the tumor as possible — is a good option. These first conversations can help determine how best to approach your surgery, or whether surgery is even the right choice with which to begin.
All patients should have a comprehensive conversation with their doctor about the sequence of their treatment (surgery or chemotherapy first) and what the different options are. Doctors can discuss these difficult treatment choices and include patients in their own treatment plans.
Read MoreOn the day of the surgery, the patient will first meet with her medical team, which will include the surgeon and the anesthesia team — who will be able to explain the surgery process. The goal with surgery is to remove all visible evidence of disease. The actual procedure will vary from patient to patient because every woman’s cancer is different.
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