Booklet: What You Need to Know about Ovarian Cancer

Side Effects of Treatment

It is hard to limit the effects of therapy so that only cancer cells are destroyed. Because treatment often damages healthy cells and tissues, it can cause unpleasant side effects.

The side effects of cancer treatment vary, depending on the type of treatment. Also, each woman reacts differently. Doctors try to keep side effects to a minimum, but problems may occur. The National Cancer Institute booklets Radiation Therapy and You and Chemotherapy and You have helpful information about cancer treatment and coping with side effects.

Surgery

Surgery for ovarian cancer is a major operation. For several days after surgery, the patient may have difficulty emptying her bladder and having normal bowel movements. Drugs may be given to relieve pain and to prevent or treat infection. A woman should ask the doctor or nurse for medicine to relieve pain. For a period of time after the surgery, some of the woman's normal activities are limited to let healing take place.

In younger women, when the ovaries are removed, the body's natural source of estrogen is lost and menopause starts. Symptoms of menopause are likely to appear soon after the surgery. Hormone replacement therapy is commonly used to ease such symptoms as hot flashes and vaginal dryness in menopausal women. However, the use of hormone replacement therapy has not been studied in women who have had ovarian cancer. Deciding whether to use it is an individual matter; ovarian cancer patients should discuss the possible risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy with their doctor.

Chemotherapy

The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on which drugs the patient receives. In addition, side effects vary from patient to patient. In general, anticancer drugs affect rapidly dividing cells. These include blood cells, which fight infection, cause the blood to clot, and carry oxygen to all parts of the body. When blood cells are affected by anticancer drugs, women are more likely to get infections, bruise or bleed easily, and have less energy. Cells in hair roots and cells that line the digestive tract also divide rapidly. As a result, women may lose their hair and may have other side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores. Usually the doctor can suggest diet changes or medications to ease these problems. Most side effects of chemotherapy gradually go away during the recovery period or after treatment stops.

Certain drugs used in the treatment of ovarian cancer can cause kidney damage. To help protect the kidneys while taking these drugs, patients are given large amounts of fluid. These drugs also may cause tingling in the fingers or toes, ringing in the ears, or difficulty hearing. These problems may continue after treatment stops.

Radiation Therapy

Patients are likely to become very tired during radiation therapy, especially in the later weeks of treatment. Resting is important, but doctors usually advise patients to try to stay as active as they can.

It is also common for the skin in the treated area to become red, dry, tender, and itchy. There may be permanent darkening or "bronzing" of the skin in the treated area. This area should be exposed to the air as much as possible, but protected from sunlight. Patients should avoid wearing clothes that rub the treated area. The radiation therapist or nurse will give advice about keeping the skin clean. Patients should not use any lotion or cream on their skin without checking with the doctor or nurse.

Radiation treatment to the lower abdomen may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or urinary discomfort. Usually the doctor can suggest diet changes or medicines to ease these problems.

Radiation therapy for ovarian cancer also can cause vaginal dryness and interfere with intercourse. Women may be advised not to have intercourse during treatment. However, most women are able to resume sexual activity a few weeks after radiation treatment ends.

Biological Therapy

The side effects caused by biological therapy vary with the type of treatment. Often, these treatments cause flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Sometimes patients get a rash, and they may bleed or bruise easily or have bone pain. These problems can be severe, and patients may need to stay in the hospital during treatment.

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