MyOvarianCancerTeam

Yes, it is possible to reach a point where more chemotherapy may not be the right choice. For recurrent ovarian cancer, the decision to continue chemotherapy depends on several important factors:

- How well previous treatments worked
- How long it has been since the last treatment
- What side effects were experienced before Show Full Answer

Yes, it is possible to reach a point where more chemotherapy may not be the right choice. For recurrent ovarian cancer, the decision to continue chemotherapy depends on several important factors:

- How well previous treatments worked
- How long it has been since the last treatment
- What side effects were experienced before
- How much the cancer has spread One key consideration is whether the cancer is "platinum-sensitive" or "platinum-resistant." If the cancer returned more than six months after treatment, platinum-based drugs like carboplatin may still work. If it returned within six months, different drugs would likely be needed.

There's also an important caution — chemotherapy isn't right for everyone. For some people, these drugs may do more harm than good, especially if they aren't expected to benefit from them.

Other options for recurrent ovarian cancer include targeted therapies, surgery, and palliative care. It's really worth having an open conversation with an oncologist about what the goals of treatment are and what the best path forward looks like for a specific situation.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Explained