Ovarian Cancer
By: Tsou JinyeuTotal Views: 182, Word Count: 832,
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is the cancerous growth often seen in different parts of the ovary. Commonly, ovarian cancer is seen on the outer lining of the ovary. Cancer is also detected in the line of fallopian tube and egg calls (germ cell tumor). Alternative name- cancer ovaries
Causes of ovarian cancer
The exact causes of ovarian cancer are unknown but the risk for developing ovarian cancer appears to be affected by several factors.
- Certain genes are responsible for ovarian cancer
- Women with history of breast cancer have increased risk
- Histories of colon cancer, uterine cancer or gastrointestinal cancer have a syndrome
- Older women are at great risk
- Infertile women with endometriosis
- Women taking postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy
- Childhood mumps infection
- Elevated alcohol intake may cause modest epithelial ovarian cancer
Types of ovarian cancer
Types of ovarian cancer vary according to the histology of the tumor. Histology of the ovarian cancer affects many aspects like management of cancer, clinical treatment and prognosis.
Ovarian epithelial carcinoma
- It is also known as surface epithelial stromal tumor. It includes: serous tumor, endometroid tumor, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.
- Sex cord stromal tumor includes estrogen producing granulose cell tumor. It also includes virilizing sertioli leydig cell tumor
- Most germ cell tumors are teratomas and occur in young females. Prognosis of ovarian cancer depends on the specific histology of germ cell tumor.
- Mixed tumor contains a combination of more than one of the above classes of tumor histology.
- It can also be a secondary cancer, when you are suffering from breast cancer or gastrointestinal cancer.
Ovarian cancer Symptoms
The symptoms for ovarian cancer are vague and non specific. You should always watch for early symptoms of ovarian cancer on other more common conditions. These symptoms are persistent and their frequency is high. Most of the women suffering from ovarian cancer complain of one or more symptoms.
- Abdominal pain or Discomfort
- Abdominal mass
- Bloating
- Unexpected Back pain
- Urinary urgency
- Constipation
- Tiredness
- Pelvic pain
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Abnormal weight gain or weight loss
Prognosis of ovarian cancer
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer is done by physical examination like pelvic examination, inspection of abdominal cavity, biopsies, blood tests and transvaginal ultrasound. . Early diagnosis for ovarian cancer results in better survival. However, prognosis of ovarian cancer is rarely done in early stages.
Treatments for ovarian cancer
There are no special treatments for ovarian cancer. The risk of ovarian cancer can only be reduced.
- Also women with many children have lesser risk than the one who have never been pregnant
- Women who have their uterine tubes blocked surgically also have lower risk of ovarian cancer
- Surgery is required and is also required to diagnose ovarian cancer
- Chemotherapy is used after surgery to treat any remaining cancer cells
- Radiation therapy is also used sometimes
Prevention
- It will help a lot if preventive measures are taken to minimize the risk of ovarian cancer. Regular pelvic examination
- Pregnancy before the age of 25 and breast feeding
- Tubal ligation and hysterectomy
- Removal of both the ovaries nearly eliminates the risk
- Intake of oral contraceptives
The risk of ovarian cancer can be reduced if you know what ovarian cancer is, early symptoms of ovarian cancer, breast cancer and types of ovarian cancer. There are no specific treatments for ovarian cancer and you can use chemotherapy and other preventive measures.
About the Author
Dr. Tsou Jinyeu is a well known gynecologist and has been in this field since 1995. His special interests are – genetic and birth defects, high risk obstetrics, lupus in pregnancy, premature labour, premature delivery, triplets and ultrasound diagnosis. He is graduated from the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Nowdays he is working as a medical doctor at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health
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