In this video, we’ll describe cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer, its benefits, and its risks. Cytoreductive surgery is also called debulking surgery.
In this video, we’ll describe cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer, its benefits, and its risks. Cytoreductive surgery is also called debulking surgery.
This information is general, and it’s meant to help you have a conversation with your care team. If a cytoreductive surgery is a treatment option for you, your surgeon will talk with you about the possible benefits and risks for you individually.
What is cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer?
Cytoreductive surgery is surgery to take out as much of the cancer tissue in your body as possible while keeping your body working as normally as possible. The goal of this surgery is to leave no visible tumor behind.
Cytoreductive surgery may be a treatment option if your cancer has spread beyond your ovaries and fallopian tubes. Along with chemotherapy, it’s part of the usual treatment for this type of cancer.
During cytoreductive surgery, your surgeon will make an incision, or cut, in your abdomen, or belly. They will look for cancer throughout your abdomen and pelvis and will take out areas with cancer.
For most people, this includes removing your uterus, cervix, both fallopian tubes, and both ovaries.
It’s also very likely to include removing your omentum, which is a thin layer of fatty tissue that lies over the organs in your belly.
If your surgeon finds cancer has traveled to other areas, they will also remove the cancer from those areas, as long as it’s safe to do so.
This may include taking out part of your diaphragm, the thin muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen; parts of your bowel, which is your small and large intestine; your spleen; parts of your liver; your gallbladder; and some of your lymph nodes.
In rare cases, if your surgeon takes out part of your bowel, you may need an ostomy to reroute your stool, or poop, while your bowel heals. Your surgeon will make an opening on your abdomen called a stoma, and your gas and stool will leave your body through the stoma into an attached bag. The stoma can usually be reversed once your bowel has healed.
Your surgeon may remove other organs or areas of tissue based on imaging scans you’ve had or what they find during your surgery. They’ll talk with you about what to expect.
What are the benefits of cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer?
The benefits of cytoreductive surgery are different for everyone. The benefits for you will depend on the reason you’re having the surgery.
Benefits may include longer survival; having longer periods of remission, which is when cancer tissue is smaller and not growing or there isn’t evidence of cancer tissue; or having fewer symptoms.
What are the risks of cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer?
The risks of cytoreductive surgery are different for everyone.
Most people do not have a complication, or problem caused by the surgery, but it’s important to know the risks. Here are some possible complications. You may have risks other than these.
- Bleeding, which can lead to anemia. Anemia is having fewer red blood cells than normal.
- Wound problems, such as a wound infection, delayed wound healing, or your surgical cut reopening.
- Infection, such as infection in your abdomen or pelvis, which can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is when your body has an extreme, possibly dangerous, response to an infection.
- Bowel obstruction, which is when part of your small or large intestine is blocked.
- Hernia, which is an organ bulging through a weak spot in a muscle or tissue.
- Injury to organs in your abdomen or pelvis, such as your bladder, bowel, or ureters. Your ureters are the tubes that connect your kidneys to your bladder.
- Fistula, which is an abnormal connection or tunnel that forms between two parts of your body that aren't normally connected, such as between your bowel and your skin.
- Urinary problems, such as urinary retention, which is when you can’t empty your bladder normally.
Your surgeon will talk with you about other rare problems that can happen after surgery. They will also talk with you more about risks specific to you.
If you have questions, ask. We’re here to help. You can also visit msk.org/pe to search for educational resources, videos, and online programs.
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