Understanding Stage III-C Ovarian Cancer: Prognosis & Treatment

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.