Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The ovaries are two small glands located on either side of the uterus. They produce eggs and hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone.
Ovarian cancer can occur at any age, but it is most common in women over the age of 50. The exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but there are a number of risk factors that can increase a woman's chances of developing the disease. These risk factors include:
- Family history: Women with a family history of ovarian cancer are at increased risk for the disease.
- Age: Ovarian cancer is more common in older women.
- Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus. Women with endometriosis are at increased risk for ovarian cancer.
- Obesity: Obese women are at increased risk for ovarian cancer.
- Infertility: Women who have difficulty getting pregnant or who have never been pregnant are at increased risk for ovarian cancer.
- Genetic mutations: Some genetic mutations can increase a woman's risk for ovarian cancer.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
The early symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and nonspecific. This can make it difficult to diagnose the disease early. Some of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic pain
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Difficulty eating or lack of appetite
- Feeling full quickly after eating
- The need to urinate more frequently or urgently than normal
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
If you experience any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, it is important to see a doctor to rule out ovarian cancer.
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer
There is no single test to diagnose ovarian cancer. Doctors typically use a combination of tests, including a pelvic exam, imaging tests, and blood tests, to make a diagnosis.
Treatment of ovarian cancer
The treatment for ovarian cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the type of ovarian cancer, and the patient's overall health. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Surgery is the most common treatment for ovarian cancer. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the cancerous tissue as possible. In some cases, the doctor may also remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
Chemotherapy is a type of drug treatment that kills cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given intravenously (through the vein) or orally (by mouth).
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be given externally, from a machine outside the body, or internally, from radioactive material placed inside the body.
Prognosis for ovarian cancer
The prognosis for ovarian cancer depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis and the type of ovarian cancer. The five-year survival rate for women with early-stage ovarian cancer is over 90%. However, the five-year survival rate for women with late-stage ovarian cancer is less than 30%.
Prevention of ovarian cancer
There is no surefire way to prevent ovarian cancer. However, there are a few things that women can do to reduce their risk of developing the disease, such as:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
- Having regular pelvic exams and Pap tests
- Having genetic testing if they have a family history of ovarian cancer
If you have any questions or concerns about ovarian cancer, please talk to your doctor.
Ovarian cancer symptoms
The early symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and nonspecific. This can make it difficult to diagnose the disease early. Some of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic pain
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Difficulty eating or lack of appetite
- Feeling full quickly after eating
- The need to urinate more frequently or urgently than normal
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
If you experience any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, it is important to see a doctor to rule out ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer diagnosis
There is no single test to diagnose ovarian cancer. Doctors typically use a combination of tests, including a pelvic exam, imaging tests, and blood tests, to make a diagnosis.
- Pelvic exam: During a pelvic exam, your doctor inserts gloved fingers into your vagina and simultaneously presses a hand on your abdomen in order to feel (palpate) your pelvic organs.
- Imaging tests: Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can be used to create pictures of your ovaries and other pelvic organs. This can help doctors to identify tumors or other abnormalities.
- Blood tests: Blood tests can be used to measure levels of certain proteins in your blood that may be elevated in women with ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer treatment
The treatment for ovarian cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the type of ovarian cancer, and the patient's overall health. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
- Surgery: Surgery is the most common treatment for ovarian cancer. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the cancerous tissue as possible. In some cases, the doctor may also remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a type of drug treatment that kills cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given intravenously (through the vein) or orally (by mouth).
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be given externally, from a machine outside the body, or internally, from radioactive material placed inside the body.
Ovarian cancer prognosis
The prognosis for ovarian cancer depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis and the type of ovarian cancer. The five-year survival rate for women with early-stage ovarian cancer is over 90%. However, the five-year survival rate for women with late-stage ovarian cancer is less than 30%.
Ovarian cancer prevention
There is no surefire way to prevent ovarian cancer. However, there are a few things that women can do to reduce their risk of developing the disease, such as:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
- Having regular pelvic exams and Pap tests
- Having genetic testing if they have a family history of ovarian cancer
If you have any questions or concerns about ovarian cancer, please talk to your doctor.