Treatment & Wellness Care

Our extensive system of clinical and support services goes beyond targeting the cancer itself to taking care of each women’s needs as a whole person. We will work closely with you to determine what care pathway is suited to your particular diagnosis, individual biology and personal preferences. Learn more about our support services »

To customize your treatment plan, we use a detailed genomic test that can identify the unique genetic fingerprint of your cancer to gain critical insight into how we might best fight it.

Whether using traditional methods, such as surgery, or innovative therapies that are unique to Stanford, such as new treatments that use your immune system to fight the cancer, you can be assured that you will get the latest and most effective care.

Treatment & Wellness Care

Clinical & Wellness Support

Our psychologists and psychiatrists are highly experienced and will understand your unique needs. Supportive and palliative care can help you better manage symptoms and maintain the lifestyle you desire. Learn more about our comprehensive support  »

Knowing and Managing Your Risk for Ovarian Cancer

Most ovarian cancer is not tied to hereditary risk. Still, we would like to hear from you if you or at least one member of your family has the disease. Because inherited mutations cause approximately 25% of ovarian cancer, we do not want to miss anyone we can potentially help. Learn more about our Cancer Genetics Program »

Risk Assessment

Assessing your risk involves looking at your personal and family medical histories. We may also recommend genetic testing, using the most-up-to-date techniques to look at many genes at once.

Throughout the process, our genetic counselors discuss the implications for your health, life, and family. We can help you share information with relatives. Learn about cancer risk assessment with genetic testing and counseling »

Risk Management

While we continue to work on improved ovarian cancer screening, current approaches often do not detect the disease until symptoms appear. At that point, it is usually too late for curative treatment. The lack of options influences national guidelines, which our doctors help write:

• Surgery: Many people with high inherited risk will not develop ovarian cancer. But because screening is not yet viable, we recommend removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The age to do so depends on the particular mutation found and ranges from the late 30s to late 40s. We offer hormone replacement to counter the early-onset menopause, as well as nonhormonal options for women with cancer or those who have already gone through menopause. A sexual medicine specialist can provide further help. For Lynch syndrome, we also recommend uterus removal.  
• Oral contraceptives: Taking birth control medications can help prevent ovarian cancer in the short term. We still recommend eventual removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. We may suggest contraception if you are still years from the usual age for surgery.
• Cancer treatment: If you have ovarian cancer and a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, we may recommend an approved, targeted therapy called a PARP inhibitor.

Genetic Mutations and Ovarian Cancer

Genes pass down the DNA you need. But some missing, duplicated, or miscoded genes increase ovarian cancer risk. While researchers have not identified them all, those we know include:

• BRCA1 and BRCA2: Mutations in these genes cause most hereditary ovarian cancers, with ties to breast cancer and other cancers. Approximately 40% of women with a BRCA1 mutation develop ovarian cancer, and approximately 10% to 20% with a BRCA2 mutation do. In women without a mutation, fewer than 2% do. See our BRCA decision tool, created by Stanford doctors and scientists and used by women worldwide to weigh their options.
• Genes related to Lynch syndrome: Mutations in MLH1, MSH2, EPCAM, MSH6, and PMS2 genes can raise ovarian cancer risk. These mutations can also cause skin, brain, colorectal, and other gastrointestinal cancers. Together, such familiar cancers are called Lynch syndrome, or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
• Other, rare mutations: Mutations in BARD1, BRIP1, RAD51C, RAD51D, DICER1, and other genes can increase your ovarian cancer risk. DICER1 mutations can cause a rare ovarian cancer called a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor.