Oophorectomy for Cancer Overview

Oophorectomy is a surgical procedure that can be used as means to treat or prevent gynecological cancer.

What is Oophorectomy?

Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one (unilateral oophorectomy) or both (bilateral oophorectomy) ovaries. The procedure can be done in isolation, but is often done in combination with another surgical procedure such as a hysterectomy for cancer. An example of this is bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, the removal of both ovaries and both fallopian tubes.

Oophorectomy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Doctors and other caregivers at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center will work closely with you and your family to develop a treatment plan suited to your situation. As well as providing specialized medical care, we offer a range of supportive services, including nutritional counseling, emotional and spiritual support, financial advice, and complementary therapies, such as acupuncture and massage.

Below are examples of when oophorectomy is considered as a treatment for gynecologic cancer.

Stage 1 Cervical Cancer

  • Total hysterectomy for cancer (removal of the entire uterus, including the cervix) with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

Stage I and Stage II Endometrial Cancer

  • Total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and removal of lymph nodes.
  • Total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with or without removal of lymph nodes, and radiation therapy.

Stage I and II Ovarian Cancer

  • Total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy (removal of the omentum, a piece of the tissue lining the abdominal wall), and removal of lymph nodes.
  • Total hysterectomy, unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and removal of lymph nodes.

Stage III and IV Ovarian Cancer

  • Total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy.

Cancer Care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center is devoted to helping people fight cancer by offering the most advanced treatment with compassion and care. We care for adult patients in 12 specialized centers, each devoted to a different type of cancer.

Part of our commitment to conquering cancer is developing new ways to prevent and screen for cancer, as well as developing new therapies. Milestones include:

  • Development of the CA 125 test, the first and only biomarker for ovarian cancer;
  • Pioneered new approaches in the assessment and treatment of prostate cancer;
  • Development of state-of-the-art surgical techniques for brain surgery.

Patient- and Family-focused Care

Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) has long been committed to not only the care of our patients but also the many other needs that they and their families have. This philosophy of patient- and family-focused care - involving systems and services that emphasize healing in a comfortable, relaxed environment – is a guiding force behind the care we provide at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center.

Quality of Patient Care

BWH is committed to providing all of our patients with the safest, highest-quality, most-satisfying care possible and following established protocols that have been shown to improve patient outcomes. Our Inpatient Satisfaction Survey, sent to patients’ to assess their total care experience, helps us to monitor what we are doing well and where we could improve. We pride ourselves in the Quality of Patient Care we provide and how we compare with other hospitals.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital Cancer Team

Our Center features a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgeons, physicists, radiologists, interventional radiologists, endoscopists, pathologists, specialized nursing staff, dietitians, physical therapists, and social workers who use a patient-focused approach to deliver the most effective treatment for each patient. Meet our gynecologic cancer team.

Contact Us

If you believe you should have an evaluation and would like to schedule an appointment with one of our gynecologic cancer experts, call 1-800-294-9999 to speak to one of our knowledgeable coordinators who can help to connect you to the doctor that best meets your needs, or fill out an online appointment request form.

Learn more about Brigham and Women's Hospital


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