Possible Complications
- Ovarian cancer surgery is extensive and carries risks
- You may develop an infection in your abdomen or pelvis
- You may require a blood transfusion if there’s blood loss
- There may be surgical damage to surrounding organs or tissues
- Blood clots and allergic reactions are also possible complications
“The common risks for any type of surgery, especially a surgery for an advanced ovarian cancer, includes infection,” says Dr. Michael McHale, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of California, San Diego. “That infection can occur at the skin level, or deep within the surgical site, within the abdomen or pelvis.”
Read More- Blood transfusion: “Every ovarian cancer surgery can include blood loss, which may require treatment with a blood transfusion, either during the time of surgery or after the procedure when patients are recovering,” Dr. McHale says. Unfortunately, getting a blood transfusion during surgery, can also increase the risk of infection.
- Infection: Infections can be superficial, or they can occur deep within the surgical site. Signs of infection include fever, shivering, cough, and swelling or redness around the wound. Patients who develop an infection after surgery also require longer hospital stays, which can be complicated during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Damage to surrounding organs: While unintentional damage to pelvic and abdominal structures is rare during ovarian cancer surgery, complications can include injury to any of the structures that we’re operating around, between, and that can include the intestine and large blood vessels where there may be some enlarged tumor implants,” says Dr. McHale.
- Blood clots: Ovarian cancer surgery increases the risk of developing blood clots in your pelvis and legs, which could put pressure on your heart, lungs, and other organs. You can help reduce your risk of developing clots by getting up and out of bed shortly after your operation.
- Allergic reactions: While allergic reactions are not common, they can occur as a result of medications doctors provide before, during, or after surgery.
The chances of complications following surgery depend on a number of factors, including your age, extent of disease, and whether you have unrelated health conditions. It’s important for patients to understand the potential risks or ovarian cancer surgery.
The reason surgery for ovarian cancer tends to be so extensive is that during the procedure doctors examine the entire pelvis and abdomen with the goal of removing any visible tumor, or leaving nothing larger than about half an inch. “Our goal is to remove all of that disease, so that we can improve outcome, improve survival,” Dr. McHale says.
You may wake up with a breathing tube down your throat and you’ll likely remain in the hospital for several days following the operation so doctors can easily manage your pain level and monitor your recovery. You may even require treatment in the intensive care unit after surgery to assist with your recovery.
The good news: “There are measures doctors put in place to reduce many, if not all of these risks,” Dr. McHale says. You can do your part to reduce your risk of complications and streamline your recovery by eating well, exercising and building up your stamina prior to surgery.
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