An Indian Perspective on the Management of Adolescent Ovarian Cancer

Malignant ovarian tumours often go unrecognised or improperly treated in adolescents. The treatment of adolescents with ovarian cancer requires a tailored approach aiming at a cure for the disease while at the same time considering the adverse reproductive and long-term side effects. Most of the discussions of cancer treatment do not include discussions on post-treatment reproductive functions, considering the dilemma of counselling fertility preservation to a girl who has not reached adulthood. The surgical treatment should aim at fertility preservation by retaining the uterus and remaining ovarian function with comprehensive staging to rule out occult disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy is administered taking into account the spread and aggressiveness of the tumour. There are no specific Indian guidelines for the treatment of adolescent ovarian cancers. Early identification of symptoms and multidisciplinary management can improve the survival rate and quality of life.