It can be difficult to detect ovarian cancer at an early stage as the symptoms of ovarian cancer are non-specific. In most of the cases, by the time ovarian cancer is detected, it has already spread to other parts of the body. However, patients should be aware of the following indications in their body and consult the doctor at the earliest if there is:

•   Regular fatigue feeling
•   Pain during sex
•   Sudden weight loss or weight gain in the abdominal area
•   Change in bladder habits like an increase in frequency or incontinence
•   Severe lower back pain
•   Swelling or bloating in the stomach
•   Constant abdominal or pelvic pain
•   Loss of appetite, feeling full very quickly or constipation
•   Abnormal changes in the menstrual cycle
•   Women who are experiencing a combination of these symptoms regularly for a few weeks must visit their gynecologist for a cancer screening immediately.

Before your surgery, you will be recommended for some tests by your doctor. These tests are recommended to check the overall health and well-being of the patient. The following tests are recommended:

•   Pap smear test and a pelvic examination
•   Urine tests
•   Blood tests that may include Complete hemogram, liver function test, renal function test, serum electrolytes, and coagulation profile

Based on the results of the tests mentioned above, your surgery will be scheduled. A day before the surgery, you will also have to undergo the following tests:

•   Blood and urine tests
•   Chest X-Ray
•   ECG
•   Cancer screening

The toxic effects of the drugs are also considered before the surgical process if f patients have undergone pre-operative chemotherapy.

The treatment is performed under general anesthesia by best doctors and surgeons for ovarian cancer treatment. , the doctor will recommend the right kind of surgery for the patient based on the stage of cancer

•   If it is early-stage cancer, a minimally invasive procedure is done but in the case of advanced cancer, open surgery technique is required.
•   In open surgeries, a large incision of about 20 cm is made in the abdominal area to remove the ovaries and nearby tissues. 
•   For minimally invasive surgeries, many small incisions are made to insert the surgical instruments and laparoscopically to remove the ovaries.
•   When the surgery is performed for early-stage cancer, your doctor will take several tissue samples from abdominal areas, lymph nodes and pelvis to check how far cancer has spread. A fatty tissue layer (omentum) close to the ovaries is also removed to detect cancer cells.
•   Post the removal, abdominal washing, or peritoneal is done by adding sterile fluid in the stomach and then later removing it. This fluid is then checked for cancer cells.
•  Your doctor will remove as much tumor as possible If he finds cancer cells surrounding the ovaries in a process called debulking. If there are other body parts like lymph glands and nodes affected by the cancerous cells your surgeon might remove them as well.

Post the surgery the patient may experience some discomfort or pain once she wakes up. To remove the excess fluids from the body from the open wound area a catheter is inserted. Usually, it takes 3-6 days to get discharge she can only be discharged after the catheter is removed.

Chemotherapy is required to post the surgery if the patient is detected with advanced cancer. A combination of chemotherapy and surgery can cure about 30% of women with advanced cancers.

When both the ovaries are removed during the surgery, the patient might experience sudden menopause symptoms for a few weeks. The doctor will recommend hormone replacement therapy to deal with these symptoms. Once you will be discharged from the hospital, doctors usually recommend the following to take care of:

•   No strenuous activity or sexual intercourse for 4-6 weeks
•   To prevent blood clotting in legs or chest infection, you would be recommended breathing and leg exercises 
•   Consuming healthy food or supplements that would help to boost calcium and Vitamin D in the body
•   Usually, it can take a patient up to 6 weeks to get back to their normal routine post the surgery.
•   No driving for at least 1-2 weeks after the surgery

You will be told about the risks and complications associated with the ovarian cancer surgery beforehand by your doctor. Following are some of the risks the patient might experience after the surgery:

•   Damage to surrounding organs like bladder, bowel or ureter
•   The patient may experience severe post-operative pain
•   Blood clots may be formed in the veins of legs or pelvis
•   Infection in the wound