Medical and Surgical Gynecology in Florida

Chemotherapy for Gynecologic Cancers

Ovarian cancer is often found when it already has spread in the abdomen. Therefore, systemic chemotherapy is an integral component of treating ovarian cancer. The standard chemotherapy program at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is paclitaxel and carboplatin.

These drugs are given in the outpatient setting over four to five hours, usually every three weeks. Side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and suppression of blood-forming cells, are well controlled with new medications. Relapses after initial response frequently occur, and many different chemotherapy programs are available and are often successful in inducing remissions.

Chemotherapy definitely prolongs the survival of ovarian-cancer patients, allowing many of our patients to maintain a good quality of life.

Chemotherapy also is frequently used in endometrial and cervical cancers. In cervical cancer, the addition of chemotherapy to radiation therapy in selected cases may improve the long-term results.