Stage III-C Ovarian Cancer Prognosis

The prognosis of stage III-C ovarian cancer depends on the extent of the surgery, the doctor's ability to remove all of the cancer, and how well the patient responds to chemotherapy. A person's age can also play an important role.

Stage III-C ovarian cancer

In Stage III-C ovarian cancer, the disease has spread to the abdomen and lymph nodes.

Surgery

Surgery is performed to remove as much of the tumor as possible. The ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and omentum are also removed.

Chemotherapy

After surgery, the patient will undergo several rounds of chemotherapy. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common combination is carboplatin and a taxane, such as paclitaxel (Taxol), given into a vein for six cycles.

After Chemotherapy

Once the patient has completed chemotherapy, doctors will monitor blood levels. If a CA125 test detects a high cancer anitgen in the blood, the patient may have to undergo more chemotherapy treatments.

Survival Rate

The survival rate for ovarian cancer is relatively five years. In advanced cases where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as stage III-C, the patient will have about a 31 percent chance of surviving five years or more.

References

• American Cancer Society
• MD Anderson Cancer Center