Patient Experience
3 May, 2022
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a term used to describe malignant disease that develops to form a tumour involving either the ovary, fallopian tubes or peritoneum. In Ireland approximately 400 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year.
Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer
Typical signs and symptoms can include:
Who are the Gynae Oncology team?
The Gynae oncology team in SJH are made up of a large group of various members of a multidisciplinary team of surgeons – Mr Waseem Kamran (clinical lead), Prof Feras Abu Saadeh, Prof Tom D’Arcy, Dr James Beirne and Mr Patrick Maguire, medical oncologists – Prof Karen Cadoo, radiation oncologists Prof Charles Gillham and Dr Naomi Lavan, specialist nurses – Ciara Donohoe and Elaine Gray and administration staff. We are supported by experts in nutrition, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, stoma care, palliative care and pain. Four outpatient clinics are held weekly. Each clinic has one or more lead consultants and a team of doctors.
Diagnosing ovarian cancer
The diagnosis of ovarian cancer is based on a number of factors including clinical examination of the patient, tumour markers taken as a blood test, imaging scans including ultrasound and CT scan along with a biopsy.
Treatment of ovarian cancer
Treatment for ovarian cancer involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. The decision as to which comes first is made at our multidisciplinary meeting (MDT) where the panel of experts discuss each case individually to determine the best treatment option.
Who can you expect to meet?
Ladies who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer can expect to meet many members of the multidisciplinary team throughout the course of their treatment. The initial meeting usually takes place at the gynae oncology out-patient clinic. This involves meeting the doctors on the team, the gynae oncology consultant and the gynae oncology nurse specialist. This meeting will involve history taking, a clinical examination and blood tests.
If surgery has been decided by the MDT as the upfront form of treatment the patient can expect to meet the anaesthetic doctor, nursing staff on the ward, dietician, physiotherapy and pain team on admission to the ward. If required the patient will also be introduced to the stoma nurse specialist if necessary. This will be discussed with the patient at initial consultation.
If chemotherapy is the primary course of treatment, the patient can expect to meet the medical oncologist, oncology liaison nurse and the chemotherapy team where the schedule of treatment will be arranged.
How to contact us:
Phone: 0862334512
Email: gynaecancercare@stjames.ie
For further information please visit:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/cancer/profinfo/guidelines/ovarian-cancer/
emercaseyfoundation.com
ovacare.com
sock.ie