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Ovarian cancer is a cancerous development of cells in the ovaries. The cells reproduce rapidly and have the ability to penetrate and destroy healthy body tissue.
There are two ovaries in the female reproductive system, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries, which are approximately the size of an almond, generate eggs (ova) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Surgery and chemotherapy are commonly used to treat ovarian cancer.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF OVARIAN CANCER?
The ovaries are made up of three different kinds of cells. Each cell has the potential to grow into a distinct type of tumor:
- Epithelial tumors: These tumors develop in the layer of tissue around the ovaries. Approximately 90% of ovarian cancers are epithelial tumors.
- Stromal cancers: They develop in the cells that produce hormones. Stromal tumors account for 7% of all ovarian cancers.
- Germ cell cancers: They form in egg-producing cells. Germ cell cancers are uncommon.
Ovarian cysts
The majority of ovarian cysts are not malignant. These are known as benign cysts. However, only a small percentage of these are malignant.
An ovarian cyst is a collection of fluid or air that forms in or near the ovary. The majority of ovarian cysts develop as a normal aspect of ovulation, which occurs when the ovary releases an egg. They normally only cause minor symptoms, such as bloating, and go away on their own.
If you aren’t ovulating, cysts are more of a problem. After menopause, women stop ovulating. If an ovarian cyst appears after menopause, your doctor may order additional tests to determine the cause of the cyst, especially if it is large or does not disappear within a few months.
If the cyst does not go away on its own, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove it just in case. Your doctor won’t know if it’s cancerous unless it’s surgically removed.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF OVARIAN CANCER?
When ovarian cancer first appears, there may be no visible symptoms. When signs of ovarian cancer appear, they are generally attributed to other, more common illnesses.
Ovarian cancer symptoms and signs may include:
- Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
- Feeling full quickly after eating
- Loss of weight
- Pain in the pelvic region
- Fatigue
- Back ache
- Changes in bowel habits, like constipation
- Urge to urinate on a regular basis
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF OVARIAN CANCER?
Although it is unknown what causes ovarian cancer, scientists have identified factors that may enhance the risk of the disease.
Ovarian cancer develops when cells in or near the ovaries undergo changes (mutations) in their DNA. The DNA of a cell includes the instructions that inform the cell what to do. The mutations instruct the cells to grow and proliferate rapidly, resulting in a mass (tumor) of cancer cells. When healthy cells die, malignant cells continue to live. They have the ability to invade adjacent tissues and break off from an original tumor in order to spread (metastasize) to other sections of the body.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF OVARIAN CANCER?
The following factors can raise your risk of ovarian cancer:
- Getting older: The risk of ovarian cancer rises with age. It is most commonly diagnosed in elderly people.
- Inherited gene changes: A small proportion of ovarian tumors are caused by genetic abnormalities inherited from your parents. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two genes that enhance the risk of ovarian cancer. These genes are also linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Several other gene mutations have been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer, including those linked to Lynch syndrome and the genes BRIP1, RAD51C, and RAD51D.
- Family history of ovarian cancer: If you have blood relations who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be at a higher risk.
- Being obese or overweight: Obesity and being overweight raise the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women: Taking hormone replacement treatment to control menopausal symptoms may raise your risk of developing ovarian cancer.
- Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a painful condition in which tissue comparable to that which lines the interior of your uterus grows outside of your uterus.
- Age at which menstruation began and ended: Menstruation at a young age, menopause at a later age, or both, may raise the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Never having been pregnant: If you’ve never been pregnant, you may be at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF OVARIAN CANCER?
What are the different phases of ovarian cancer?
The stage is determined by your doctor based on how far the cancer has spread. There are four phases, each with its own substage:
Stage 1: There are three substages of stage 1 ovarian cancer:
- Stage 1A: The cancer has been limited to one ovary.
- Stage 1B: The cancer has spread to both ovaries.
- Stage 1C: Cancer cells can also be found on the exterior of the ovary.
Stage 2: The tumor has migrated to other pelvic structures in stage 2. It is divided into two stages:
- Stage 2A: The cancer has progressed to either the uterus or the fallopian tubes.
- Stage 2B: The cancer has spread to the rectum or bladder.
Stage 3: There are three substages of ovarian cancer in stage 3:
- Stage 3A: The cancer has progressed microscopically beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen and lymph nodes.
- Stage 3B: The cancer cells have progressed beyond the pelvis to the lining of the belly and are visible with the naked eye, but they are less than 2 cm in diameter.
- Stage 3C: Cancerous deposits measuring at least 3/4 of an inch are found on the abdomen or outside the spleen or liver. The malignancy, however, is not located within the spleen or liver.
Stage 4: In stage 4, the tumor has spread to the liver or lungs from the pelvis, abdomen, and lymph nodes. Stage 4 is divided into two substages:
- Stage 4A: Cancerous cells are present in the fluid around the lungs.
- Stage 4B: At the most advanced stage, the cells have penetrated the lining of the spleen or liver, as well as other distant organs such as the skin or brain.
HOW IS OVARIAN CANCER DIAGNOSED?
When your doctor diagnoses ovarian cancer in its early stages, it is significantly easier to treat. It is, however, difficult to identify.
Because your ovaries are located deep within your abdominal cavity, you are unlikely to feel a malignancy. There is currently no regular diagnostic screening for ovarian cancer. That is why it is critical that you report any unexpected or persistent symptoms to your doctor.
If your doctor suspects you have ovarian cancer, he or she would most likely propose a pelvic exam. A pelvic exam can help your doctor detect anomalies, although small ovarian cancers are difficult to detect.
As the tumor grows, it puts pressure on the bladder and rectum. During a rectovaginal pelvic examination, your doctor may be able to discover anomalies.
In addition, your doctor may order the following tests:
- Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS): TVUS is a sort of imaging test that detects cancers in the reproductive organs, especially the ovaries, by using sound waves. TVUS, on the other hand, cannot assist your doctor in determining whether tumors are malignant.
- Abdominal and pelvic CT scan: They may request a pelvic MRI scan if you are allergic to dye.
- Blood test to measure cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels: A CA-125 test is a biomarker used to evaluate therapy response in ovarian cancer and other reproductive organ malignancies. Menstruation, uterine fibroids, and uterine cancer can all have an impact on CA-125 levels in the blood.
- Biopsy: A biopsy is performed by extracting a small sample of tissue from the ovary and examining it under a microscope.
It’s crucial to note that, while all of these tests can help direct your doctor toward a diagnosis, only a biopsy can confirm if you have ovarian cancer.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR OVARIAN CANCER?
Many factors will influence treatment, including:
- the cancer’s type, stage, and grade
- the age and overall health of the individual
- their individual preferences
- treatment accessibility and affordability
Options commonly include:
- Surgery: The option will be determined by the type of cancer and the extent to which it has spread. A hysterectomy, removal of one or both ovaries, and removal of afflicted lymph nodes are all surgical alternatives. A doctor will talk with the patient about the best options.
- Chemotherapy: These medications are designed to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy medications affect the entire body whether taken orally, as an injection, or as an infusion. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is another possibility. In this situation, a tube delivers the medicine straight to the cancerous part of the body. Chemotherapy can have far-reaching side effects, especially if it affects the entire body.
- Targeted therapy: Some medicines target specific cells that aid in the growth of cancer. Monoclonal antibody treatment and angiogenesis inhibitors are two examples. Targeted therapy seeks to decrease side effects by focusing on certain functions.
- Radiation therapy: This method employs the use of X-rays to eliminate cancer cells. One method is to inject a radioactive liquid into the peritoneum. People with advanced ovarian cancer may benefit from this.
- Immunotherapy (biotherapy): This tries to improve the immune system’s ability to protect the body from cancer. Vaccine therapy entails injecting molecules that detect and eliminate tumors. People with advanced ovarian cancer may benefit from it.
Some of these treatments are quite new. Some people may choose to participate in a clinical trial, which can provide access to some of the most cutting-edge treatments.
HOW CAN OVARIAN CANCER BE PREVENTED?
There is no foolproof technique to avoid ovarian cancer. However, there may be measures to mitigate your risk:
- Consider using birth control pills: Consult your doctor to see if birth control tablets (oral contraceptives) are a good option for you. Using birth control tablets lowers the risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, many medications do have hazards, so consider if the advantages outweigh the risks in your situation.
- Consult your doctor about your risk factors: Inform your doctor if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can tell you what this means for your own cancer risk. You may be referred to a genetic counselor who can advise you on whether genetic testing is appropriate for you. If you are determined to have a gene change that raises your chance of ovarian cancer, you may want to consider having your ovaries removed to avoid cancer.
CONCLUSION
If a person is diagnosed with ovarian cancer in its early stages, all kinds of ovarian cancer are curable. In the later stages, several kinds are also highly curable.
When analyzing ovarian cancer survival rates, it is also worth remembering that medical developments have improved the outlook during the last 20 years.
Nonetheless, regular screening and seeking aid if any symptoms arise can often lead to an early diagnosis, increasing the likelihood of receiving effective treatment.
