LOW-GRADE SEROUS OVARIAN CANCER IS

Serious

Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (LGSOC) Treatment Options

A serious understanding of treatment begins with knowing your LGSOC treatment options.

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (also known as LGSOC) disease progression differs for each patient. Therefore, your treatment will likely be tailored by your health care provider, and treatment outcomes will vary.

Before you start treatment

Ask your doctor if they have experience treating people with LGSOC. If your doctor does not have experience with LGSOC, you may want to seek additional expert opinions. For example, you could talk to your doctor about arranging a consultation with an LGSOC expert.

Talk about genetic testing. An ovarian cancer specialist can tell you whether genetic testing is right for you. Different genetic tests include those that look for germline mutations (mutations that are inherited from a parent) and somatic mutations (mutations that are not inherited).

  • Genetic testing can help inform treatment options. Test results will show if you have mutations (changes to your DNA) that allow you to qualify for clinical trials and treatments for people with specific mutations
  • Ask if genetic testing is covered by insurance. Work with your doctor’s office to find out what testing costs your insurance will cover. Your doctor’s office can also act on your behalf and work with your insurance company to try lowering costs

Before you start treatment

Ask your doctor if they have experience treating people with LGSOC. If your doctor does not have experience with LGSOC, you may want to seek additional expert opinions. For example, you could talk to your doctor about arranging a consultation with an LGSOC expert.

Talk about genetic testing. An ovarian cancer specialist can tell you whether genetic testing is right for you. Different genetic tests include those that look for germline mutations (mutations that are inherited from a parent) and somatic mutations (mutations that are not inherited).

• Genetic testing can help inform treatment options. Test results will show if you have mutations (changes to your DNA) that allow you to qualify for clinical trials and treatments for people with specific mutations

• Ask if genetic testing is covered by insurance. Work with your doctor’s office to find out what testing costs your insurance will cover. Your doctor’s office can also act on your behalf and work with your insurance company to try lowering costs

Initial treatment options

These treatment options are recommendations from professional guidelines. Your doctor will use these guidelines to select the most appropriate treatment for you.

Surgery: One or both of your ovaries, your fallopian tube(s), and/or your uterus may need to be removed. In some cases, multiple surgeries may be needed to address complications related to your cancer. After surgery, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy.

Side by side: Survivornet logo + Call to action: More information on surgery

Chemotherapy: This is medicine that stops cancer cells from growing. It can also stop healthy cells from growing, which is why you may experience side effects like hair loss and nausea, for example. Certain types of chemotherapy may work better than others for LGSOC, so talk to your doctor about what is right for you.

Side by side: National Cancer Institute logo + Call to action: More information on chemotherapy

Hormone therapy: These are treatments that block estrogen and can help slow the cancer’s growth.

Side by side: National Cancer Institute logo + Call to action: More information on hormore therapy

Angiogenesis inhibitors: These cancer medicines block the growth of blood vessels that help cancer cells grow.

Side by side: National Cancer Institute logo + Call to action: More information on angiogenesis inhibitors

The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor(s). Always consult with your doctor(s) when making treatment decisions, as they know you and your treatment needs best.

Initial treatment options

These treatment options are recommendations from professional guidelines. Your doctor will use these guidelines to select the most appropriate treatment for you.

Surgery: One or both of your ovaries, your fallopian tube(s), and/or your uterus may need to be removed. In some cases, multiple surgeries may be needed to address complications related to your cancer. After surgery, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy.

Side by side: Survivornet logo + Call to action: More information on surgery

Chemotherapy: This is medicine that stops cancer cells from growing. It can also stop healthy cells from growing, which is why you may experience side effects like hair loss and nausea, for example. Certain types of chemotherapy may work better than others for LGSOC, so talk to your doctor about what is right for you.

Side by side: National Cancer Institute logo + Call to action: More information on chemotherapy

Hormone therapy: These are treatments that block estrogen and can help slow the cancer’s growth.

Side by side: National Cancer Institute logo + Call to action: More information on hormore therapy

Angiogenesis inhibitors: These cancer medicines block the growth of blood vessels that help cancer cells grow.

Side by side: National Cancer Institute logo + Call to action: More information on angiogenesis inhibitors

The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor(s). Always consult with your doctor(s) when making treatment decisions, as they know you and your treatment needs best.

Treatment options for cancer that comes back

When your cancer comes back after initial treatment, it’s considered recurrent. Your doctor may try another treatment after your cancer comes back, even if you’ve already had surgery or chemotherapy.

Some options for treating recurrent disease are:

Clinical trials

• Chemotherapy (you may or may not have had it before)

• Additional surgery

• Targeted therapy (some treatments require the presence of certain mutations, or changes to your DNA, to work)

• Hormone therapy

Coping with recurrence

Amanda, a person living with LGSOC, talks about the challenges of recurrent disease, treatment, and the importance of support.

Things to keep in mind during treatment

Cancer treatment can be overwhelming. It can affect your mental and physical health, including fertility. Your sexual health and mood can change throughout your treatment journey.

For more information on how cancer can affect your life during treatment and beyond, we’ve created a helpful page with resources on coping with LGSOC and LGSOC treatment.

Talk to your doctor about LGSOC

Talk to your doctor about LGSOC

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