Cancer Australia

Chemotherapy uses a drug or a combination of drugs to attack cancer cells and slow or stop their growth. Most women with epithelial ovarian cancer will be offered chemotherapy as part of their treatment.Chemotherapy is a type of systemic treatment because it treats the whole body. Chemotherapy reduces the risk of the cancer coming back, particularly if it hasn’t spread too much. For most women it causes the cancer to subside and the symptoms to stop.

Women with borderline epithelial ovarian cancer and some Stage 1 cancer that has not spread outside the ovaries do not usually have chemotherapy. Women with epithelial ovarian cancer that has spread outside the ovaries usually receive chemotherapy.

Types of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer usually involves platinum-based chemotherapy drugs, such as carboplatin and cisplatin. Platinum drugs may be used by themselves or combined with other drugs, such as paclitaxel.

Chemotherapy is a rapidly changing area and new drugs may become available in future. Women should talk to their doctors about what types of chemotherapy are suitable for them.

Find out more about:

• How does chemotherapy work?
• What does chemotherapy involve?
• Travelling for chemotherapy
• Side effects of chemotherapy
• Questions to ask about chemotherapy for ovarian cancer