Choosing an experienced surgeon, and a medical center accustomed to your type of surgery, is key.
- As with any medical procedure, there are risks associated with ovarian cancer surgery.
- One of the best ways to lower your risk is to choose a doctor who regularly performs your type of surgery in a facility accustomed to these types of procedures.
- Risks of ovarian cancer surgery are mostly related to a patient’s underlying medical conditions.
"Risks of ovarian cancer surgery are mostly related to a patient’s underlying medical conditions," says Dr. Jeanne Schilder, division director of gynecologic oncology at Indiana University Medical Center. But "even our older patients with some comorbidities (one or more chronic diseases or conditions) tend to have very favorable outcomes from the operation."
Read MoreUnderlying conditions such as severe heart disease can increase surgery risks significantly. “But, I would say for the average patient, the operation is very safe when you're in a medical center that is accustomed to doing these types of procedures, and where there's a coordinated staff of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and preoperative physicians who really help minimize the patient’s comorbidities and maximize their outcome.”
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