Second Opinion for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Ovarian Cancer is the 7th most common cancer in women. Around 207,000 women die every year from ovarian cancer around the world. A global concern, it is a critical condition that requires timely diagnosis and treatment. Seeking a second opinion for ovarian cancer can ensure that you are following the right treatment strategy for combating the disease.

What is Ovarian Cancer Treatment?

Ovarian cancer occurs when cells in the ovary begin to divide abnormally leading to the formation of a tumor. This tumor can be invasive and spread to other parts of the body. Thus, progressing into metastatic ovarian cancer. Since ovaries are a crucial component of the female reproductive system, ovarian cancer can have a significant impact on female reproductive health. Thus, it is imperative to choose the best treatment for yourself.
Some of the commonly used ovarian cancer treatments are

• Surgery: It is the most prevalent treatment method for ovarian cancer. During surgery, your oncologist removes the ovary affected by cancer. If cancer has become extensive, then the uterus can also be removed. This, however, can affect your fertility.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It can be given alone or in combination with other treatment methods like surgery. Sometimes, it is used after surgery to kill cancer cells that may have persisted.
• Hormone therapy:  Hormone therapy uses drugs to block the function of hormones.  It deprives ovarian cancer cells of hormones like estrogen that they require for growth. This can be an effective treatment for ovarian cancers that are growing slowly.
• Targeted therapy: In this treatment method, your oncologist will use drugs that specifically target cancer cells’ weaknesses for killing them. Thus, minimizing the effect of these drugs on normal cells.
• Immunotherapy: In certain situations, immunotherapy can also be used. This method stimulates the body’s immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells.

Why should You opt for Second Opinion before Undergoing Ovarian Cancer Treatment?

A diagnosis of ovarian cancer may seem intimidating at first. You may start searching hurriedly for the best doctor and treatment option for yourself. But, before you proceed with a life-altering treatment, you should consider getting a second opinion on your condition. This can be beneficial in many ways:

• Reconfirmation of diagnosis:  Misdiagnosis has become a global problem. Every year, an estimated 80,000 people die because of complications associated with misdiagnosis.  Though it may not always be fatal, misdiagnosis can have serious financial and physical consequences. Thus, a second opinion from a specialist can help in confirming the diagnosis and avoiding the impact of misdiagnosis.

• Verifying treatment: Your primary physician may recommend surgery for your ovarian cancer treatment. This is a life-changing procedure and entails careful consideration before proceeding with it. A second opinion from an oncologist can revalidate your treatment plan before you decide to go through with it. The second opinion doctor may even suggest some alternative, less invasive treatments for ovarian cancer.

• Deeper insights into ovarian cancer and its treatment: Your primary physician may not be an expert in the field of ovarian cancer. By getting a  second opinion from highly-experienced and skilled oncologists, you can gain more information about your cancer and the latest treatments for it. Some treatment options may not be commonly used in your country. Your second opinion doctor can also recommend countries from where you can receive such treatments.

• Peace of mind:  A second opinion that agrees with the diagnosis and the prescribed treatment reassures you about your decided course of action. Hence, you can continue your treatment journey without any worries.

Facts about Ovarian Cancer

• Age is a risk factor for ovarian cancer. Most cases of ovarian cancer occur in women who have undergone menopause, usually around 50 years of age.
• It is a common myth that pap tests can detect ovarian cancer. But, this is far from true because pap tests can only detect cervical cancer. At present, there are no screening tests for ovarian cancer.
• Early detection of ovarian cancer leads to a better prognosis
• Ovarian cancer has four stages
• There are more than 30 different types of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian Cancer symptoms

On MediGence’s second opinion platform, you will be asked to provide information about your symptoms. This helps the second opinion doctors to evaluate your case. Some of the commonly observed ovarian cancer signs and symptoms are:

• Pain in the abdominal or pelvic region
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Increased urination
• Feeling full or having difficulty eating
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Back pain
• Vaginal bleeding

Most Common Conditions to be Diagnosed for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Ovarian Cancer can have overlapping symptoms with many other diseases. A second opinion ensures that you have been diagnosed correctly with ovarian cancer. Some conditions that mimic ovarian cancer include

• Ovarian cysts: Ovarian cysts can be misdiagnosed as ovarian cancer because of similar symptoms. These include bloating, painful sex, and belly pain. While ovarian cysts are fluid-filled pockets, ovarian cancer is a solid mass of cancer cells. Thus, a second opinion can confirm the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

• Endometriosis:  In this condition, the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow outside it. This is extremely painful and can mimic symptoms of ovarian cancer like painful sex, pelvic pain, bloating, and pain while urinating.

• Uterine fibroids:  These are non-cancerous growths that occur in the uterus. Uterine fibroids can be wrongly diagnosed as ovarian cancer because of symptoms like pelvic pain, constipation, and frequent urination. But, additional symptoms like back pain and heavy menstruation are also observed in the case of uterine fibroids.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

As a patient, you have the right and freedom to get a second opinion on your ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment from experts. During your second opinion with qualified oncologists, you can ask the following questions:

• What are the treatment options for my condition?
• Is the prescribed treatment the best option for me, or are there some alternatives available?
• Can I get alternative treatments in my country? Do I need to go to another country for my treatment?
• What is the success rate of the treatment?
• Will the treatment affect my chances of pregnancy?
• What are the side effects of the treatment?
• How long do I have to stay in the hospital for my treatment?

Tests Required before Undergoing a Second opinion for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

The team of oncologists must have all the necessary information to give an accurate second opinion on your diagnosis and prescribed treatment plan. For this, you need to upload the following documents on the MediGence clinical workbench:

• Blood test reports: This includes a complete blood cell count test which is an indicator of overall health. Besides this, your primary doctor must have advised you to get tested for tumor markers such as CA 125, a cancer antigen that is elevated in case of ovarian cancers. By sharing these test results, you can assist the team of doctors in deciding that your diagnosis is accurate.

• Imaging tests: You can upload the results of imaging tests like CT scans and ultrasound as DICOM files. The oncology and tumor board can analyze these results and see if there are any changes in the structure, size, and shape of ovaries. The deformities could indicate ovarian cancer.

• Biopsy:  In a biopsy, minimally invasive procedures are used to obtain a small tissue sample from the ovaries. The pathologist then analyzes the tissue under the microscope to determine if cancer is present. Biopsy results offer insights into the extent to which cancer has spread.

• Medical History:  Your medical history includes your past treatments and illnesses. Information about your ongoing or past ovarian cancer treatment will allow the team of experts to suggest additional preoperative and postoperative treatment options. Thus, giving you a more satisfactory healthcare experience.

A Second Opinion with MediGence

A Second opinion for Ovarian cancer can support you in navigating the complex and confusing medical treatment process. With MediGence’s second opinion platform, you can avail the following benefits:

• Team of Experts: It is always advisable to receive a second opinion from doctors who are specialized in treating your disease. MediGence has a board of well-qualified and highly-trained oncologists who will thoroughly review your case. These experts will then collaborate to provide a detailed second opinion.

• Timely delivery: Time is of the essence when it comes to critical conditions like ovarian cancer. MediGence ensures that your written second opinion is delivered within 5 days so that you can make a timely decision about your health.

• Technology integrated platform: MediGence’s second opinion platform has an intelligent clinical workbench where patients can provide details about their symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. The patients can also upload their imaging test results easily as DICOM files. This technology integration simplifies the process of information exchange between the patient and the oncology board.

• Video consultation:  Patients can schedule a teleconsultation session with the lead doctor of the board who will explain the second opinion report to them.

Costing of Second Opinion for Ovarian Cancer

You can avail Second Opinion for Ovarian Cancer at an affordable price from MediGence

What to do when a second opinion differs from my ongoing/proposed line of treatment?

The second opinion doctors may have a different perspective on your proposed or ongoing ovarian cancer treatment. This can be overwhelming. But, with MediGence, you can rest assured as

• The second opinion oncology board will suggest alternative treatments based on their analysis of your condition. These recommendations are made available in the form of a written second opinion report which is delivered in a timely fashion.
• If you are interested in understanding the recommended treatment plans, then you can also opt for a video consultation session with the lead doctor of the oncology board.
• After weighing your treatment options, you can select the most suitable one for yourself
• If you wish to travel to another country for your treatment, then MediGence can assist in finding the right doctor and hospital.

Reference Links:

• https://www.healthline.com/health/ovarian-cancer
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cancer/
• World Ovarian Cancer Coalition