Access information on common Ovarian cancer questions at Consumer Reports Health.

Ovarian cancer

Questions to ask your doctor

If you've been told that you have ovarian cancer, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more.

Here are some questions that you might want to ask.

Questions about your diagnosis

What stage is my ovarian cancer?
What grade is it?
Is my ovarian cancer linked to certain

genes
Your genes are the parts of your cells that contain instructions for how your body works. Genes are housed on chromosomes, structures that sit in the nucleus at the middle of each of your cells. You have 23 pairs of chromosomes in your normal cells, each of which has thousands of genes. You get one set of chromosomes, and all of the genes that are on them, from each of your parents.

genes I got from my parents? (More than 95 percent of cases aren't.)

Questions about your treatment

Will my operation be done by a surgeon experienced in treating this type of cancer? And will it be done in a medical center that specializes in treating cancer? (You are likely to survive longer if it is.)
Which of my organs will be taken out?
How long will I have to stay in the hospital?
What side effects can I expect from surgery?
Will I need

chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals or drugs to treat or prevent disease, usually cancer.

chemotherapy?
If I need chemotherapy, will I have to stay in the hospital for it? Or can I have it at my doctor's office?
What side effects can I expect from chemotherapy?
How will treatment affect my usual activities?

Questions about your life after treatment

How often will I need checkups after treatment?
What will happen during these checkups?
How soon will I be able to get back to my usual activities (for example, work, sports, sex, housework, shopping)?
How will treatment affect my sex life?

Questions about your health care team

Who will be on my health care team?
Who do I call if I have questions or problems?
How do I get in touch with local support groups?

This information was last updated on May 12, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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