Debulking surgery is a procedure where surgeons remove as much visible cancer tissue as possible from the pelvis and abdomen. It's a common part of ovarian cancer treatment and can involve removing tumors along with all or parts of affected organs.
Depending on how far the cancer has spread, debulking may include removing:
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Debulking surgery is a procedure where surgeons remove as much visible cancer tissue as possible from the pelvis and abdomen. It's a common part of ovarian cancer treatment and can involve removing tumors along with all or parts of affected organs.
Depending on how far the cancer has spread, debulking may include removing:
- Ovaries and fallopian tubes
- The uterus
- The omentum (a layer of fat covering abdominal organs)
- Parts of organs like the bladder, intestines, spleen, or liver if cancer has spread there
- Nearby lymph nodes Recovery can take two months or more. Doctors typically recommend:
- Getting plenty of rest and taking time off work
- Avoiding heavy lifting for several weeks or months
- Taking short walks to aid healing and avoid complications
- Eating nutritious foods to support recovery
- Avoiding driving and sexual intercourse for a set period
A MyOvarianCancerTeam member who had a hysterectomy and significant tissue removed shared, "I healed pretty well. I made it a point to keep moving and went outside every day to breathe in fresh air."
Another member noted feeling much better after surgery, saying they had been very sick for about six months before the procedure. Recovery can feel like two steps forward, one step back — good days followed by rest days — and that's completely normal.
July 25
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