You and your family have learned of a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The amount of information you receive at the time of diagnosis can feel overwhelming. All at once, you may feel there are questions to be answered, decisions to be made and so much information to be understood.

Ovarian cancer is most often treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Only rarely is radiation therapy used. It is important to distinguish the stage, grade and subtype of ovarian cancer because the treatment approaches may be different.

Your specific treatment plan will depend on several factors, including:

All treatments for ovarian cancer have side effects. Most side effects can be managed or avoided. Treatments may affect unexpected parts of your life including your function at work, home, intimate relationships, and deeply personal thoughts and feelings.

Before beginning treatment, it is important to learn about the possible side effects, and talk with your treatment team members about your feelings or concerns. They can prepare you for what to expect and tell you which side effects should be reported to them immediately. They can also help you find ways to manage the side effects you experience.