Surgical oncology
Ovarian cancer surgery
Surgery both stages and treats ovarian cancer — removing visible disease as completely as possible, usually alongside chemotherapy.
In plain language
What this operation is
Ovarian cancer is often called a silent disease, though it does produce symptoms — they are simply vague. Persistent bloating, feeling full quickly, pelvic or abdominal discomfort, and needing to pass urine more often are the common ones. Because they resemble ordinary digestive complaints, they are frequently attributed to something else for months.
Surgery has a dual purpose here. It establishes the stage by examining the whole abdominal cavity, and it treats the disease by removing as much visible cancer as possible. How completely that is achieved matters to what follows.
Chemotherapy is part of treatment for most ovarian cancers, given before or after surgery depending on the situation.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- Persistent bloating or feeling full quickly, over weeks
- Pelvic or abdominal discomfort that does not settle
- An ovarian mass with concerning features on ultrasound
- Raised tumour markers alongside imaging findings
And when it is not. Most ovarian cysts are benign and need only observation. It is persistent symptoms combined with imaging and blood test findings that prompt surgery.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
First consultation
History, examination and review of every report and film you already have. Bring the actual films, not only the printed summaries.
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02
Diagnosis and staging
Biopsy confirms the diagnosis; imaging establishes how far the disease has gone. No treatment plan is made before this.
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03
The plan
Whether surgery is the right step, and in what order relative to chemotherapy or radiotherapy — agreed with you before anything is booked.
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04
Treatment and follow-up
The operation where appropriate, then the pathology report, and continuing follow-up.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Recovery depends on the operation performed and on your general health.
- A written discharge plan, wound-care guidance and a follow-up appointment are given before you leave.
- The pathology report usually takes some days and is discussed with you at follow-up.
- Whether further treatment is advised is decided once that report is available.
When to go to hospital instead
Sudden severe pelvic pain, a rapidly swelling abdomen, or vomiting that will not stop needs same-day hospital assessment.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 Why is ovarian cancer found late?
Because the early symptoms — bloating, feeling full quickly, vague abdominal discomfort — are so easily attributed to digestion. Symptoms that persist over weeks rather than days are the ones to have assessed.
Symptoms02 Why is surgery needed to stage it?
Because staging requires examining the whole abdominal cavity and sampling tissue from several places. Imaging alone cannot establish it, and the stage determines the treatment.
Staging03 Will both ovaries be removed?
It depends on the stage, the type and your age and circumstances. In some early cases fertility-preserving surgery is possible. It is discussed with you before surgery.
ExtentNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.