Ovarian cancer is the second most common malignant disease of the female reproductive organs, and its treatment has made remarkable progress in recent years. As a specialized cancer therapy center, the Hallwang Clinic offers patients from all over the world access to advanced therapies and a precision medicine approach
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer, also known as ovarian carcinoma, is a malignancy of the urogenital tract and usually occurs as a primary tumor. This means it originates directly in the ovarian tissue and can metastasize to other organs and tissues as the disease progresses.
Urogenital tumors in women can develop as ovarian carcinoma, vulvar carcinoma, vaginal carcinoma, cervical cancer (cervical carcinoma), or endometrial cancer (endometrial carcinoma). Ovarian cancer is the second most common malignant disease of the female reproductive organs after endometrial cancer and is considered one of the most aggressive tumors.
Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer
Due to the anatomical location of the ovaries, tumors can grow undetected for a long time without causing symptoms. As a result, symptoms often appear only in advanced stages. The signs of ovarian cancer and other urogenital tumors are diverse and may include itching, burning, or bleeding, as well as skin changes in the genital area. Other symptoms include hematuria, dysuria, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea.
If ovarian cancer is suspected, a comprehensive physical examination is conducted, usually followed by staging diagnostics, such as PET-CT (positron emission tomography combined with computized tomography), CT, and/or MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging). These procedures help determine the tumor’s location, size, and whether metastases are present.
If an abnormal tissue mass is detected, a biopsy is required to determine the tumor’s characteristics. A histopathological analysis can then identify the exact (cell) type of the tumor, which is crucial for further treatment planning.
Histopathological Analysis of Ovarian Cancer
Tumor cells exhibit several characteristics, including abnormal cell growth, increased cell division, and the promotion of blood vessel formation. Ovarian carcinomas are classified based on various criteria, particularly their histological appearance and tumor spread. Each tumor also possesses individual genetic properties that influence its biological behavior and treatment options.
Some urogenital tumor cells have hormone receptors on their surface. In cases of suspected ovarian cancer, histopathological analysis of receptor status is standard and plays a key role in treatment decision-making. Patients whose tumor tissue tests positive for one or more of these receptors may benefit from anti-hormonal therapy, treatment with monoclonal antibodies, or antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Patients whose tumor cells do not exhibit any of these receptor types may still have other surface markers such as PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, PSMA, Survivin, NYESO-1, or WT1, which may qualify them for targeted precision-based immunotherapy.
Many patients are unaware that biopsy tissue is stored in the histopathological department of the respective hospital after the initial examination. This tissue material can be used for further genetic analysis and sequencing. Tumors often exhibit multiple genetic modifications that provide cancer cells with a selective growth advantage. Advanced high-throughput technologies now allow for the identification of these mutated genes, potentially leading to highly targeted therapies.
Treatment of Ovarian Cancer: What is the Best Therapy?
A comprehensive screening of tumor tissue is essential to explore all possible targeted treatment options for ovarian cancer. Therefore, it is important to find a laboratory early in the treatment evaluation that examines the tumor tissue for all markers and mutations. The results should be discussed with an experienced oncologist to enable an individually tailored, precise, and targeted therapy.
The treatment of ovarian cancer depends on the stage of the disease, tumor type, and the patient’s general health condition. Ovarian cancer is primarily evaluated for surgical intervention, usually in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy—either before, after, or in some cases, instead of surgery if an operation is not feasible. Since both radiation and chemotherapy can cause significant cytotoxic side effects, modern therapy concepts for ovarian cancer now also include immunotherapies as part of an umbrella concept.
Umbrella Concept
An umbrella concept considers all aspects of a patient’s medical history, additional diagnoses, overall well-being, available diagnostic conditions, and ongoing treatments. It does not rely solely on one therapy option but instead evaluates a precision-based combination of therapies tailored to each individual case.
Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer
Immunotherapy is considered a groundbreaking advancement in cancer treatment, as it specifically activates the body’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Two combinable approaches are used:
- Active Immunization: This approach trains the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells, leading to cell destruction or slowed tumor growth.
- Passive Immunization: Antibodies or antibody fragments are administered via infusion or injection to specifically target and destroy cancer cells.
Research on immunotherapies for the treatment of ovarian cancer has made significant progress in recent years. This includes studies on CAR-T cell therapy and the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, both of which have shown promising results.
Ovarian Cancer: Advanced Treatment at the Hallwang Clinic
The Hallwang Clinic has developed one of the world’s most advanced genomic and immunotherapeutic profiles. With our top-tier network of experts, close research collaborations, and unrestricted access to the most innovative therapies, we have a decisive advantage in delivering personalized cancer treatments. Our highly specialized oncology team focuses on:
- State-of-the-art precision medicine
- Comprehensive genetic analysis for targeted therapy
- Combination therapies for improved treatment outcomes
- Holistic and integrative oncological care
This allows us to achieve outstanding results and improve survival rates—even for patients with stage 4 cancer.
When searching for the best treatment for ovarian cancer, patients from all over the world choose the Hallwang Clinic. In addition to advanced therapy concepts, excellent medical care, and an international approach, the trusting and compassionate atmosphere also contributes to ensuring the best possible treatment.
Contact Us for Consultation
Our oncology team is happy to advise you over the phone to gain deeper insights into your specific case. This also enables us to provide you with a preliminary treatment plan and cost estimate. Our oncologists will inform you in detail about medications, therapies, and treatments, including their underlying mechanisms and side effects.
After a physical examination and a detailed in-person discussion, the final treatment plan will be determined. Please understand that complex medical processes, as mentioned above, can only be fully explained through an in-depth consultation on-site.