On a visit to the gynecologist, a client complains of urinary frequency, pelvic discomfort, and weight loss. After a complete physical examination, blood studies, and a pelvic examination with a Papanicolaou test, the physician diagnoses stage IV ovarian cancer. Nurse Ruth expects to prepare the client for which initial treatment?
a. Radiation therapy
b. Major surgery
c. Chemotherapy
d. None (At this advanced stage, ovarian cancer isn’t treatable.)
Answer B. Ovarian cancer usually requires aggressive treatment - initially, surgery. The client will require a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with tumor resection, omentectomy, appendectomy, and lymphadenectomy.
Radiation therapy is palliative for a client in this advanced stage of the disease.
Chemotherapy also is largely palliative during this stage; however, prolonged remissions have been achieved in some clients.
a. Radiation therapy
b. Major surgery
c. Chemotherapy
d. None (At this advanced stage, ovarian cancer isn’t treatable.)
Answer B. Ovarian cancer usually requires aggressive treatment - initially, surgery. The client will require a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with tumor resection, omentectomy, appendectomy, and lymphadenectomy.
Radiation therapy is palliative for a client in this advanced stage of the disease.
Chemotherapy also is largely palliative during this stage; however, prolonged remissions have been achieved in some clients.
