Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (LGSOC)
Treatment Journey
Everyone’s experience with LGSOC is different and requires a unique approach. Your healthcare team will tailor your treatment plan to your needs, and with currently available treatment options, people with LGSOC can live for many years.
Your LGSOC treatment journey
Your treatment journey may include surgery, medicine, monitoring, and, for many people, additional treatment if the cancer returns. Working closely with an experienced healthcare team can help you understand your options and make informed decisions along the way.
Treatment options
Professional treatment guidelines help doctors recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for each individual. Depending on your situation, your treatment plan may include one or more of the following.
Surgery
Surgery is often the first step in treating LGSOC. One or both ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and/or the uterus may need to be removed. If preserving fertility is important to you, discuss your family planning goals with your doctor before surgery so they can be considered when developing your treatment plan. After surgery, your doctor may recommend additional treatment, such as chemotherapy.
Genetic and biomarker testing
Your doctor may recommend genetic or biomarker testing to better understand your cancer. Different tests look for inherited (germline) mutations or local tumor (somatic) mutations. These results may help guide treatment decisions and determine whether certain therapies or clinical trials are appropriate.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medicines that stop cancer cells from growing. Because these medicines can also affect healthy cells, side effects such as hair loss and nausea may occur. Unlike HGSOC, LGSOC does not respond as well to chemotherapy. If chemotherapy is not effective, your doctor may recommend another treatment approach.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy (also called endocrine therapy) blocks estrogen, which may help slow the growth of some LGSOC tumors. Some hormonal therapies may cause long-term side effects, including hot flashes, sexual health challenges, osteoporosis, and bone pain. Talk with your healthcare team about what to expect.
Angiogenesis inhibitors
These medicines block the growth of blood vessels that help tumors grow.
Potential side effects include wound-healing complications, bleeding, and other serious risks. Your doctor can explain whether this treatment may be appropriate for you.
“I asked a ton of questions. I felt like I went into every surgery knowing exactly what was going to happen, exactly what the possibilities were—and my doctor was really supportive.”
—Ellie, person living with LGSOC
During Treatment
Regular follow-up appointments remain an important part of your care. Your healthcare team will monitor you for signs that the cancer has returned, discuss any new symptoms, and help determine whether additional testing or treatment is needed.
Depending on your treatment, you may experience side effects that affect your daily routine, including work, travel, exercise, intimacy, or family responsibilities.
Talk with your healthcare team about any physical or emotional challenges you’re experiencing. They may recommend supportive care services, rehabilitation, nutrition counseling, mental health resources, or patient support groups.
Coping with Recurrence
Amanda, a person with LGSOC, discusses the challenges of living with recurrent disease.
Over 80% of patients with LGSOC experience recurrence, and treatment options may change over time. If your cancer returns, your doctor may recommend additional biomarker testing, including genetic mutation testing, to help inform treatment decisions.
Treatment options for cancer that comes back
Some options for treating recurrent LGSOC include:
- Additional surgery
- Targeted therapy (some treatments require certain mutations, or changes to your DNA, to work)
- Hormone therapy
- Chemotherapy (you may or may not have had it before)
- Clinical trials
If your cancer hasn't responded well to treatment, be sure to ask your doctor about other treatment options for LGSOC.
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.
