Surgery for ovarian cancer

A laparotomy is an operation to let your surgeon look inside your abdomen. 

The surgeon will carefully examine the organs and tissues, and biopsies (tissue samples) are taken. If the samples are tested during surgery and cancer is found, the surgeon may continue with surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Your surgeon will discuss this with you before your laparotomy. They will only continue with additional surgery if you have given permission (consent) before your laparotomy. 

In most cases, surgery will involve a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy (see below). If the biopsy samples are tested after the laparotomy, you may have a separate surgery to remove the cancer.

This is an operation where your two ovaries, fallopian tubes and womb (uterus) are removed. If the cancer has spread, your surgeon may need to operate on other organs in the abdomen to remove all the cancer. Commonly the omentum is removed. The omentum is a fatty tissue that surrounds your stomach. 

Removing cancer in the abdomen in this way is known as cyto-reductive surgery. Your surgeon may also take samples from other tissues, such as lymph glands, to see if the cancer has spread further.

In some cases, if the cancer has spread to the bowel, part of your bowel may need to be removed. The two ends are usually joined back together. But sometimes this isn’t possible right away.

If that happens, the surgeon will create an opening (called a stoma) on your tummy for your bowel to empty into a colostomy bag. This is called a colostomy.

Colostomies may be:

• Temporary – the bowel can be rejoined later
• Permanent – if it is not safe to reverse

If you have a colostomy:

• You’ll be shown how to care for it by a stoma care nurse
• You’ll be given practical advice on managing the bag and caring for your skin
• You’ll get support from your hospital team, and possibly from peer support volunteers
• You’re not alone – many people in Ireland live well with a stoma. There are also support groups and resources available.
  
  Read more about living with a stoma. 

Or call our Support Line on 1800 200 700 or visit a Daffodil Centre to speak to a cancer nurse.