The cancer type that begins in the ovaries is called ovarian cancer. Cancerous cells begin to multiply abnormally and destroy healthy tissue. Ovaries are two small organs (about the size of an almond each) that make eggs (ova) and hormones (such as Estrogen and Progesterone). Furthermore, these organs are a part of the female reproductive system.
In most cases, ovarian cancer is treated with chemotherapy and surgery.
Symptoms
Commonly, ovarian cancer like many others does not cause symptoms in its early stages. However, when the symptoms appear they usually include the following ones. For example:
- Abdominal swelling
- Bloating
- The feeling of fullness when eating commonly occurs quickly
- Discomfort in the pelvic region
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Back pain
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
If any of the previous symptoms occur or any others that cause concerns, contact your healthcare professional right away.
Causes
Experts do not fully understand why this cancer type occurs, but they have found some factors that may increase the risk.
Ovarian cancer often starts when cells of the ovaries develop DNA changes (mutations). Normally, DNA holds instructions that tell cells when to grow, multiply, and die. When DNA changes happen, the cells receive different instructions that cause them to grow and multiply abnormally. Furthermore, cancerous cells live much longer than healthy ones. A tumor usually forms when cancer cells become too much. This tumor may invade healthy tissue and destroy it.
If the tumor is not removed, it may break and spread throughout the body. In such cases, the disease is called metastatic cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Types
Identifying the cancer type helps doctors make the best treatment plan for you. It is divided according to the cells where the cancer begins. Check below ovarian cancer types:
- Epithelial ovarian cancer – It is the most common ovarian cancer type. However, epithelial ovarian cancer includes some subtypes such as serous carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma.
- Stromal tumors – This ovarian cancer type happens quite rarely and it is usually diagnosed in early stages compared to other types.
- Germ cell tumors – This type also happens rarely and it mostly occurs at younger ages.
Risk Factors
Doctors identified some factors that may increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer. Examples include:
- Age – Older adults are more likely to develop this cancer type than younger ones.
- Inherited gene mutations – Sometimes, ovarian cancer occurs due to an abnormal gene that passes from biological parents to biological children. This gene is called BRCA1 and BRCA2. Furthermore, these inherited genes also increase the risk of breast cancer. Additionally, there are other gene mutations that also increase the risk of ovarian cancer including BRIP1, RAD51C, and RAD51D.
- Family history of ovarian cancer – Having a family history of this cancer significantly increases your risk of developing it.
- Obesity – Excessive body weight also elevates the risk of this cancer type.
- Hormone replacement therapy – This is a treatment used primarily for postmenopausal women to control the symptoms. However, it may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Endometriosis – This is a painful condition that causes tissue similar to the uterus inside to grow outside it.
- Beginning of menstruation and menopause – In both cases, the risk of ovarian cancer increases.
- Women who have never been pregnant are at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Prevention
It is not possible to prevent this cancer type but the following tips may help reduce the risk. For example:
- Birth control pills – These medications may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. However, this medication cannot be taken without the doctor’s approval because it may cause serious health problems.
- Talk with your physician about your risk factors – Sometimes, doctors may recommend removing the ovaries to prevent cancer. However, it depends on multiple factors. For more details, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
Diagnosis
The following tests are often involved in ovarian cancer diagnosis. For example:
- Pelvic examination – During this procedure, the doctor will insert two gloves fingers into the vagina and simultaneously will press with a hand on the abdomen to feel the pelvic organs. Furthermore, they may also examine external genitalia, vagina, and cervix visually.
- Imaging tests – These include ultrasound and pelvic and abdominal CT (computerized tomography) scans. Imaging tests are used to get detailed images of the internal organs. In such cases, a CT scan can help determine the size, shape, and structure of the ovaries.
- Blood tests – Usually, doctors perform these tests to check organ function. They may also perform a test that indicates ovarian cancer. It is called a cancer antigen (CA) 125 test.
- Surgery – In some cases, the condition cannot be confirmed until the doctors remove an ovary and test it for cancer.
- Genetic testing – Physicians may recommend genetic testing to check for abnormal genes that elevate the risk of developing ovarian cancer. It helps make the best treatment plan for you.
Furthermore, after you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, doctors may perform additional tests to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer because it also helps make decisions about treatment.
Treatment
Commonly, this cancer type is treated by using several treatments (such as surgery and chemotherapy).
Surgery
Check below some surgeries used to treat ovarian cancer:
- Surgery to remove one ovary – This procedure is used in people with early-stage cancer. In other words, the cancer cells do not spread to other body structures and tissues. Moreover, this surgery preserves the ability to get pregnant.
- Surgery to both ovaries – During this treatment, surgeons will remove both ovaries with fallopian tubes. However, after surgery, the uterus remains intact and you can get pregnant using your own frozen embryos or eggs or you can get them from a donor.
- Surgery to remove ovaries along with uterus – In such cases, surgeons will remove both ovaries with the uterus. This surgery is usually recommended for people with more severe ovarian cancer.
- Surgery for advanced cancer – In people with advanced stages of this cancer, it begins to spread to nearby tissues and organs. During this surgery, they will remove as much as possible of the cancer. After that, doctors usually prescribe chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery.
Chemotherapy
This treatment involves strong medications that kill cancerous cells throughout the body. These medicines are usually given to the patients intravenously (IV), but the pill form also is available.
Sometimes, physicians may use heated chemotherapy drugs that are infused into the abdomen (belly) during surgery. This treatment is also called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). The medicines are drained when the surgery is completed.
Targeted Therapy
This therapy involves medicines that block certain substances in cancer cells, causing them to die. Physicians may perform some cancer cell tests to check whether targeted therapy is effective for you. It usually is prescribed by doctors in advanced stages or when surgery is not an option.
Hormone Therapy
This therapy involves specific medicines that block Estrogen effects on the cancerous cells. Estrogen helps ovarian cancer cells to grow and blocking the hormone effect may help slow down the cancer.
Immunotherapy
This treatment involves specific medications that boost the immunity to fight against cancer cells. However, cancerous cells produce some substances that help them hide from the immune system. Immunotherapy is usually prescribed by doctors when other treatments do not work and surgery is not an option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Check below some symptoms that usually women with ovarian cancer experience:
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Pelvic pain
- Vaginal discharge or bleeding
However, there are multiple health conditions that cause previous symptoms. That’s why you should not make fast conclusions because the symptoms listed above do not always mean you have cancer.
Can ovarian cancer be cured?
The only way to cure this cancer type is to remove completely the affected ovary. If is needed both along with affected nearby tissues should be removed to cure it. In addition, roughly 20% of women with advanced ovarian cancer survived more than 12 years after treatment.
What are the potential complications of ovarian cancer?
People with ovarian cancer may experience some complications. These include:
- Ascites
- Bowel obstruction
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Pleural effusion
- Blood clots
- Thrombocytopenia
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Early menopause
- Infertility
This article does not contain all possible complications. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
