Ovarian Cancer

Overview

Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary. The tumor is usually formed in the ovarian wall or the fallopian tubes and very rarely in the egg cell. Ovarian cancer has often been regarded as a silent killer, because the symptoms are not clearly detected till it spreads to other parts of the body. Less than one third of ovarian cancer is detected before it spreads to other parts of the body. The survival rate for this form of cancer is largely based on the earliest possible detection

Types

Ovarian cancer is broadly classified into four types based on the histology (tissue study) of the tumor:

• Surface Epithelial-Stromal tumor: Also known as ovarian epithelial carcinoma. This is the most common type of ovarian cancer.
• Sex Cord-Stromal tumor: This includes granulosa cell tumor and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, accounts for eight percent of ovarian cancer.
• Germ Cell Tumor: Usually occurs in girls and young women. Five percent of ovarian cancer is of this type.
• Mixed Tumors: Contains elements of more than one of the above classes of tumors.

Symptoms

Some of the most consistent symptoms associated with ovarian cancer include pain in the pelvis, abdomen, back or legs. Bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea, constipation, indigestion, pain during sex and abnormal vaginal bleeding are also indicators of ovarian cancer. Some women have also reported trouble in breathing and urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency.) The frequency and persistence of these symptoms are the key factors in the detection of ovarian cancer.

Causes/Risk Factors

There are a number of factors that increase the risk of ovarian cancer, though the exact cause is currently unknown. The risk factors associated with ovarian cancer include inherited gene mutations, family history of ovarian cancer, a personal history of cancer, age, infertility, having participated in hormone replacement therapy or HRT, obesity and male hormones which are used to treat endometriosis. Women who have never been pregnant, also face a risk of ovarian cancer.

Tests/Diagnosis

The doctor can do a physical test or a pelvic test to check for tumors or abnormal growth in the body. A blood count test and serum electrolyte test are also indicators of ovarian cancer. A CA 125 blood test, magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, or computerized tomography or CT, ultrasound and biopsy are also done to test the presence of ovarian cancer. Sometimes doctors may use laparoscopy to detect the presence of tumors in the ovary.

Treatment

Treatment for ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of both chemotherapy and surgery for the best results. A surgery should be performed by a gynecologic oncologist when the tumor is removed from the body. Tissue and fluid samples may be taken during the surgery to examine the rest of the body for cancer cells. Chemotherapy is also used for treatment of the disease, in the early stages or after the surgery. Drugs are given to destroy the cancerous cells and prevent re-growth of these cells.