20-year-old woman with ovarian cancer successfully treated through Fertility-Sparing Surgery at Fortis Mohali

— Dr Shweta Tahlan says managing ovarian cancer in young women is challenging and requires specialised care –

Solan,  June 30 , 2023 : ( AVAJ APKI NEWS )

The Oncology Department at Fortis Hospital Mohali has revolutionized the treatment of gynaecological cancers through cutting-edge technology wherein a young patient suffering from ovarian cancer was treated through Fertility-Sparing Surgery (FSS), which allows preservation of the uterus and one ovary, allowing the patient to conceive in future. Dr Shweta Tahlan, Consultant, Gynae Onco-Surgery, Fortis Hospital Mohali, has successfully treated three young patients suffering from ovarian cancer.

In the first case, a 20-year-old, unmarried woman presented with abdominal distension and discomfort. The Patient approached Dr Tahlan where medical investigations (blood tests and CT scan) revealed a large, solid ovarian mass (20×20 cm) and raised tumour markers. The Patient underwent surgery wherein her ovarian mass was removed and surgery was conducted, besides her uterus and other normal ovary was preserved. She was diagnosed with rare cancer in the early stages which helped her to have a fertility-sparing surgery. Post-operation, the Patient has recovered fully and her period cycles have normalized.

In another case, a 37-year-old Patient presented with a 15-cm ovarian mass. She was found to have early stage ovarian cancer with low maligancy. The Patient underwent hysterectomy and omentectomy wherein the intact ovarian mass was removed and she was cured through surgery alone.

In yet another case, a 29-year-old patient, who was completely asymptomatic, presented with an ovarian mass (5×7 cm). She was diagnosed as early stage ovarian cancer and underwent complete surgical staging for ovarian cancer. The Patient also required adjuvant chemotherapy according to her cancer type and is doing well.

Shedding light on the cases, Dr Tahlan, said, “All three patients underwent open surgery, removal of intact ovarian mass and frozen section was done to decide the extent of surgical staging (a pathological laboratory procedure to perform rapid microscopic analysis of a specimen). Post-operatively, all patients recovered well and quickly. However, all patients received different treatment plan according to their type and stage of cancer.”

Stating that ovarian cancers usually occurred in older women, but about 10% of ovarian cancers were reported in women less than 45 years of age, Dr Tahlan, added, “Sometimes, ovarian cancers are diagnosed in women in their 20’s and 30’s as well. Each patient is managed differently according to the stage and type of cancer, and age of the patient. In some patients, fertility-sparing surgery is possible and, in some patients, chemotherapy is required after surgery.”