Ovary in the female anatomy is the place where eggs and female hormones are produced. The cancer that develops in the ovarian cells is known as the ovarian cancer. This is a result of the growth of a malignant tumor in the ovary. Among women, ovarian cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancers and the fifth among the main causes of death by cancer in women. This occurs mostly after menopause and above the age of 65 years for most of the patients.
Who are at Risk of ovarian cancer?
Certain conditions that make some women more prone to ovarian cancer are as follows:
Those women who have never been pregnant
Those women who take fertility drugs for a prolonged period of time
Those women who have had breast cancer
Taking oral contraceptive pill and breastfeeding babies works in lowering the risk of ovarian cancer.
Causes of Ovarian Cancer
The cause or better, the factors leading to ovarian cancer can be manifold. Some of them include:
The number of children a woman has; more number of children reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
Late age of first pregnancy
High dose of hormonal contraception
Intake of fertility drugs for a long time without any effect
Genetic factor; carriers of BRACAI or BRCA2 genes
Women of certain particular population like the Ashkenazi Jewish women
Family history of gastrointestinal cancer
Certain other factors that have not been yet proven for leading to ovarian cancer are as follows:
According to BBC researchers, consumption of more milk isw a risk causing factor for ovarian cancer
Less exposure to vitamin D
Talc use
Asbestos exposure
High fat content in diet
Mumps infection as a child
Too much alcohol consumption
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Like almost all cancers, ovarian cancers also do not show much symptoms at the early stage. This is called a “ silent killer” since for ovarian cancer, the symptoms raenoticed much too late. However as the cancerous growth begins to increase, they start showing symptoms like:
Abdominal swelling for a long time
Abdominal and pelvic pain
Poor appetite
Weight loss
Frequent urinating
Problems with digestion
Bloating
Constipation
Non-menstrual bleeding from vagina
Fatigue
Pain while intercourse
Menstrual irregularities
But it should be kept in mind that these symptoms do not always indicate to ovarian cancer as they can happen to general individuals too.
Stages of Ovarian Cancer
The FIGO staging system is used to mark the stages of ovarian cancer. They are as follows:
Stage 1—the cancer is either seen in one ovary or both.
Stage I A
Stage I B
Stage I C
Stage 2—Extension or implant in the pelvis
Stage II A
Stage II B
Stage II C
Stage 3—microscopic implants of peritoneal nature are seen outside the pelvis. Are seen
Stage III A
Stage III B
Stage III C
Stage 4—Metastases are seen on the liver or the outside of the peritoneal cavity.
Complications of Ovarian Cancer
The complications leading from ovarian cancer might be as follows:
The cancer may spread to other organs
The functionality of various organs might be lost
Fluid might accumulate in the abdomen
There might be intestinal obstructions
Other abdominal organ function can be disrupted
Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is rarely diagnosed at the early stages. But when malignancy is diagnosed a number of tests are included, such as:
Complete blood count(CBC) test
Serum electrolyte test
Serum BHCG level test in possibly pregnant women
serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) measurement
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurement
CA-125 blood test
CT scan
Trans-vaginal ultrasound
Ovarian Cancer Treatment
The treatment procedure for this disease are as follows:
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Counseling of the patient and the relatives for emotional support.
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