Chemotherapy Side effects Force Treatment Adjustments for Over Half of Ovarian Cancer Patients
Amsterdam, Netherlands – More than half of women undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer require adjustments to their treatment plans due to debilitating side effects, according to a new report from the Netherlands Cancer Institute (IKNL). The findings, detailed in Ovarian Cancer in the Netherlands 2025, highlight the significant challenges patients face in tolerating chemotherapy, even as it remains a crucial component of treatment for advanced stages of the disease.
The IKNL report analyzed data from 2015 to 2021, revealing that 54% of women with high-stage ovarian cancer experienced disruptions to their chemotherapy regimens. These adjustments took several forms: 38% required a reduction in dosage, 24% experienced temporary interruptions, and 9% had to receive fewer overall chemotherapy cycles.
The most common reasons for these changes were hematological toxicity – issues with blood cell production – and neurological complications.Importantly,the report notes that adjusting dosage or temporarily halting treatment does not negatively impact survival rates. However, a reduction in the total number of chemotherapy courses administered may have implications for long-term outcomes.
Beyond the immediate challenges of treatment, the report underscores the lasting impact ovarian cancer and its treatment have on quality of life. A significant proportion of women experience persistent side effects long after completing chemotherapy. More than 40% report ongoing fatigue, over 25% suffer from neuropathy - including nerve pain and tingling in the hands and feet – and nearly a quarter struggle with anxiety. Difficulties with intimacy and sexual health are also frequently reported.
the IKNL data also reveals regional disparities in treatment outcomes. The rate of disease recurrence within three years of treatment varies considerably, ranging from 64% to 80% depending on the hospital or region where the patient received care. This suggests potential differences in treatment protocols or supportive care services across the Netherlands.
“These findings emphasize the need for a more personalized approach to chemotherapy for ovarian cancer,” says a spokesperson for IKNL. “Managing side effects effectively and tailoring treatment plans to individual patient needs are critical to improving both the tolerability and the overall success of therapy.”
The report serves as a crucial reminder of the complex realities faced by women battling ovarian cancer and the importance of ongoing research to optimize treatment strategies and enhance supportive care.
Source: https://iknl.nl/nieuws/2025/chemotherapie-eierstokkanker-te-zwaar (IKNL)
SEO considerations:
* Keywords: ovarian cancer, chemotherapy, side effects, treatment, Netherlands, IKNL, neuropathy, fatigue, cancer recurrence, quality of life.
* meta description: Learn about the challenges women face with chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. New research reveals over half require treatment adjustments due to side effects.
* Headline: Optimized for search and click-through rate.
* Internal Linking: (Would add links to other relevant ovarian cancer articles on world-today-news.com if available).
* External Linking: Directly links to the source material (IKNL).
