Tumors of the ovary

When the disease is limited to one or both ovaries, surgery may include:

• Bilateral hysteronephrectomy: removal of uterus and ovaries to completely remove tissue in which the disease could develop;

• peritoneal staging (e.g., omentectomy): removal of the omentum, an abdominal tissue that may be the site of any hidden cancer cells;

• Retroperitoneal staging (pelvic and lumbar-aortic lymphadenectomy): removal of lymph nodes near the uterus and along the aorta to see if the disease has spread.

Surgical access:

• Laparotomy: opening of the abdomen to operate directly on organs;

• operative laparoscopy: minimally invasive surgery through small incisions (about 5 mm), which reduces pain and recovery time.

When the disease extends beyond the ovaries, the diagnostic and therapeutic course involves several steps:

• diagnostic laparoscopy to directly assess the spread of disease in the abdomen, avoiding relying solely on radiological examinations. Diagnostic laparoscopy makes it possible to observe tumor distribution and take tissue samples(biopsies) for immediate histologic examination, which is useful in confirming the diagnosis during surgery;
• cytoreducibility assessment: through scoring scales such as Predictive Index Value (PIV) or Fagotti score, the surgical possibility of optimal cytoreduction (excision of all macroscopically visible disease or with residual tumor less than 1cm) is assessed;
• in case of a favorable score, primary debulking surgery- PDS-is performed during the same surgery. Cytoreductive surgery (the removal of all macroscopically visible tumor) therefore involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries, omentum, lymph nodes if pathologically increased in volume, and all tissues or organs affected by the disease;
• if the tumor is not cytoreducible, targeted biopsies are performed to accurately define the molecular and genetic type of the disease and select the most effective therapies. Patients are then started on neoadjuvant chemotherapy to reduce abdominal disease, and normally, after 3 cycles of therapy, surgery is rescheduled.

The cancer patient is often a fragile patient, who needs help and support in her disease journey: when she experiences an ailment, whether related to the disease or a side effect of therapy, she needs to be able to receive a specialist’s opinion quickly, through a “fast track.”

For this reason, at the Candiolo Institute there is an assistance service every day, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: just call the secretary of the Oncology Day Hospital (011 993 3775) reporting the need for an urgent consultation, and the patient is quickly contacted by his or her specialist doctor.

The impact of cancer in a person’s life also affects the psychological sphere: falling ill with cancer is in fact always a traumatic event that affects all dimensions of the person and can generate anxiety, fear, anger, depression.

At the Candiolo Institute, alongside cutting-edge therapies, the treatment and care pathway always includes a qualified psycho-oncological support that helps the patient cope positively not only with treatment but also with the delicate phase of physical and psychological recovery.

It is also possible to participate in support groups psychological to compare with other people who have gone through or are going through the same experience.

To ensure timely and direct support and receive timely answers to concerns and questions, a dedicated support service is in place at the Candiolo Institute for all patients.

From Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can contact the secretariat of the oncology day hospital at 011.993.3775, reporting the need for urgent consultation.

The patient will be quickly put in touch with his or her medical specialist, to receive clear answers and immediate support.

The cancer patient is a person with complex needs that requires multidisciplinary support not only for the cancer disease, but also for all related issues.

At the Candiolo Institute, patients who need or require it have access to specialists in different areas to receive nutritional support, physical therapy, pain therapy and management of other associated conditions.

The Social Service Department of the Candiolo Institute conducts information and orientation interviews to patients and their families on how to access services in the area and how to obtain welfare and social security benefits provided by law (disability, benefits for aids and prostheses, work leave, etc.).

The service operates on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (phone: 011 9933059).

With the conclusion of the course of treatment, the follow-up period begins during which, through a series of examinations and visits, the side effects of the therapies performed and their effectiveness are monitored and the patient’s functional recovery is assessed.

Follow-up visits are especially important to intercept any recurrences early, so that appropriate therapy can be intervened. For the patient, they are also a valuable opportunity for dialogue with her medical specialist.

It is the same specialist physician who schedules follow-up visits, in which the patient’s health condition is assessed and reports of any required tests are viewed.

Due to the high number of cases treated each year, the Candiolo Institute is a national reference for taking care of esophageal cancer. Our experience enables us to deal with even the most complex situations, always with a personalized approach built on the clinical and personal profile of each patient.

Establishing the treatment plan always starts with an accurate and timely diagnosis. Patients have access to state-of-the-art imaging technologies that allow accurate assessment of the extent of the disease.

In addition, the Institute offers advanced and sophisticated laboratory investigations, including molecular and genomic analyses, which are critical for identifying biological features of cancer and guiding therapeutic decisions.

When indicated, surgery is performed with minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic or thoracoscopic), which reduce operative trauma, promote faster recovery, and improve postoperative quality of life. Every treatment choice is defined within the GIC, ensuring a consistent and integrated approach.

As an IRCCS, the Candiolo Institute combines clinical practice with a strong vocation for scientific research. Patients can be evaluated for inclusion in active clinical trials, which represent a real chance to access innovative therapies not yet available in standard practice. Collaboration between care and research is a distinctive value that translates into concrete opportunities for the patient.

The Interdisciplinary Care Group takes care of the person at every stage: from diagnosis to treatment to follow-up, with attention to nutritional support, psychological health, and reintegration into daily life. The organization of checkups, visits and treatment is designed to ensure continuity and serenity, always valuing the human dimension of care.