What is it Like to Get Chemo for Ovarian Cancer?
- Most women receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer will be given a combination of drugs called carboplatin and paclitaxel
- The dose and frequency of the drug may vary, but the two drugs are generally the same
- Administering the chemo drugs through a MetaPort in the patient’s chest can make things easier
- Usually, the worst of the side effects will subside in about 4-5 days
While the specific chemotherapy experience — including timing, length, and dose — for ovarian cancer differs from patient to patient, most women with ovarian cancer will receive a combination of the two chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel (Taxol).
Dr. Matthew Carlson, a gynecologic oncologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas says that typically, he will give his patients chemotherapy once every three weeks for six cycles, though he notes that the specific schedule for chemotherapy is somewhat dependent on the provider.
Usually, the infusion itself will take place in the morning, Dr. Carlson says, and will last three or four hours. Before the infusion, doctors will run a series of labs to make sure that the patient’s white blood cell count is high enough to receive chemotherapy.
For many women receiving chemotherapy, Dr. Carlson says, the drugs will be administered through what’s called a “MetaPort,” which is an access area implanted under the skin of the chest. This allows the chemo drugs to be easily given straight into one of the large veins near the heart.
“I recommend that most patients get a MetaPort,” Dr. Carlson says. “This allows easy access for nurses. It makes life easier for the patient, just because they don’t have to start an IV for every time that the patient comes in for chemotherapy.”
The worst of the side effects usually subside about four or five days after the infusion, Dr. Carlson says, although every woman’s experience is a bit different.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
What is it Like to Get Chemo for Ovarian Cancer?
- Most women receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer will be given a combination of drugs called carboplatin and paclitaxel
- The dose and frequency of the drug may vary, but the two drugs are generally the same
- Administering the chemo drugs through a MetaPort in the patient’s chest can make things easier
- Usually, the worst of the side effects will subside in about 4-5 days
While the specific chemotherapy experience — including timing, length, and dose — for ovarian cancer differs from patient to patient, most women with ovarian cancer will receive a combination of the two chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel (Taxol).
Dr. Matthew Carlson, a gynecologic oncologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas says that typically, he will give his patients chemotherapy once every three weeks for six cycles, though he notes that the specific schedule for chemotherapy is somewhat dependent on the provider.
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Usually, the infusion itself will take place in the morning, Dr. Carlson says, and will last three or four hours. Before the infusion, doctors will run a series of labs to make sure that the patient’s white blood cell count is high enough to receive chemotherapy.
For many women receiving chemotherapy, Dr. Carlson says, the drugs will be administered through what’s called a “MetaPort,” which is an access area implanted under the skin of the chest. This allows the chemo drugs to be easily given straight into one of the large veins near the heart.
“I recommend that most patients get a MetaPort,” Dr. Carlson says. “This allows easy access for nurses. It makes life easier for the patient, just because they don’t have to start an IV for every time that the patient comes in for chemotherapy.”
The worst of the side effects usually subside about four or five days after the infusion, Dr. Carlson says, although every woman’s experience is a bit different.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
