Should the ovaries be surgically removed?
How safe or necessary is the surgical removal of the ovaries, for ovarian cancer patients and at-risk women? Is removal of the ovaries necessary? Read on to find out.
Prophylactic salpingo-Oophorectomy:
A prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy is for patients with positive family history and known carriers of BRCA mutation etc. Also, it decreases the chances of ovarian cancer.
Oophorectomy along with hysterectomy in benign causes
Mostly, if the uterus shows benign indications like menorrhagia, fibroids, etc, removal of the ovaries is best. However, oophorectomy is also an option in these cases.
Oophorectomy in ovarian cancer patients:
In a patient, if CA 125 levels are high, and imaging is suggestive of ovarian tumor, then salpingo-oophorectomy is part of surgical staging. In nulliparous patients willing for kids, doctors recommend preservation of the ovaries.
Before the surgical removal of ovaries
Before taking such a drastic decision, these are the few things that every woman should keep in mind:
- Get a cancer screening done if you fear you might be at risk of developing ovarian or uterine cancer
- Always opt for a second opinion with a specialized gynecologic oncologist
- Furthermore, a hysterectomy along with salpingo-oophorectomy is not always an option for ovarian cancer
