Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that is done after surgery; this process uses anti-cancer medications that enter the bloodstream and destroy the cancer cells. In some cases, chemotherapy may be done before surgery to remove the tumor; this process is known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can be administered orally or intravenously or by using a technique called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). HIPEC is a process of targeting the ovaries and abdominal area; this uses a higher level of chemo medications that are administered directly into the abdomen through a catheter while lowering the level of medicines to other areas of the body. Intraperitoneal therapy is mostly prescribed for patients with third stage cancer. However, most doctors consider chemotherapy that is administered intravenously as an effective method. The common chemo medications include carboplatin and paclitaxel. The combination of these medications may be used for treating several cancers, including ovarian cancer.

1. Carboplatin/Paclitaxel
Carboplatin is generally administered in the veins and is mainly used to treat ovarian and lung cancer. The administration of this medication may cause pain in the site where it is injected. It is necessary to inform the doctors about the pain so that they may adjust the process accordingly. Paclitaxel is mostly used to treat ovarian and breast cancer. It is also administered through the veins. Paclitaxel blocks the growth of cancer by preventing cancer cells from developing further into two new cells. Paclitaxel is generally administered over 3 hours while carboplatin is given between 30 minutes and 1 hour. The whole treatment of the combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel can take up to 4 hours. The treatment may happen once every three weeks.

2. Gemcitabine
It is mostly used to treat ovarian, breast, bladder, and pancreas cancer. It kills the cancer cells by destroying the quickly dividing cells. This is administered intravenously. The treatment may take about 30 minutes.

3. Etoposide
Etoposide can be administered through the veins or can be given as capsules. DNA is the one that controls the working of the cells. Etoposide is used to blocking an enzyme called Type II topoisomerase. This enzyme is the key tool for the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Thus, etoposide blocks this enzyme, and by blocking this enzyme, the cell’s DNA gets entwined and the division is further hindered. The capsule is given every day, usually for 5 consecutive days every 3 weeks. If the medication is administered through the veins, the treatment may happen as a course over several cycles.

4. Topotecan
It is mostly used to treat ovarian, cervical, and small cell lung cancer. Similar to etoposide, topotecan is used to block an enzyme called Type I topoisomerase. Blocking this enzyme will repair the DNA when the cells divide so the cells die. It is also given as capsules or administered as a clear liquid through the veins. This treatment is repeated after every three weeks and is given for about half an hour once a day for 3 days.