Ovarian Cancer Symptoms and Treatment
Ovaries are the production houses of a female’s reproductive cells/ ovum/ eggs. The reproductive system of a woman will have a pair of ovaries placed on either side of the uterus. Ovarian cancer is the abnormal growth of ovarian cells within or on the surface of the ovary. Ovarian cancer generally originates in the ovaries and can spread to other organs. Sometimes, it may go undetected until it has spread within the abdominal region.
Advanced stage ovarian cancer symptoms include bloating or swelling in the abdominal region, unexplained weight loss, excessive bleeding even after menopause/ between periods, ovarian cancer pain/pressure in the pelvic area, changes in bowel movements, frequent urination, feeling full quickly while eating.
Ovarian tumors are categorized into three types depending on the type of cells it originates. They are:
● Epithelial tumors: Tumors that originate from the thin epidermal layer covering the ovaries. Around 90% of ovarian cancers are epithelial tumors.
● Stromal tumors: Tumors that begin in the hormone-producing cells of the ovary. They can be diagnosed at an early stage and about 7% of the ovarian tumors are stromal.
● Germ cell tumors: Tumors of the ovary that develop in the egg-producing cells within the ovary. It is observed that this kind of tumor affects younger women.
Ovarian cancer causes can be attributed to the inheritance of genes causing ovarian cancer. Variations in various genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, etc are identified to increase the risk of ovarian cancer. The mutations in such genes will guide the cell to multiply in an unregulated manner to form a mass of cells or tumors. These tumors can impact the nearby tissues and further proliferate in the body (metastasis).
Ovarian cancer diagnosis includes a pelvic examination, Imaging tests such as ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanning, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan, and X-rays. Surgical diagnostic procedures such as Laparoscopy, colonoscopy, and biopsy are also done to check the extent of cancer growth. Genetic tests are also a part of the diagnostic procedures where specific genes are tested in the cancer cells for treating tumors through targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Once the diagnostic procedure is complete with the required tests, your doctor will devise an effective prognosis. Ovarian cancer prognosis depends on the type and extent of cancer growth and proliferation. Some of the treatment procedures for ovarian cancer are:
● Surgical removal of the ovaries and the surrounding areas affected with cancer.
● Chemotherapy where chemical drugs or a combination of chemicals are injected intravenously to destroy the cancer cells.
● Radiation therapy where controlled radiations are used to slow or stop the cancer cells from growing and dividing.
● Targeted therapy is where drugs administered specifically target the vulnerabilities of the DNA within the cancer cells. This therapy targets and ultimately kills the cancer cells.
● Hormonal blockers are administered in hormonal therapy to destroy the cells that divide in an uncontrolled manner. This therapy is used to treat ovarian stromal tumors.
● Immunotherapy involves the use of drugs that induces the immune response system to shrink the tumors and slow their growth.
Novel therapies for Ovarian cancer specifically targets and effectively obliterates the cancer cells even in their advanced stage of proliferation. However, a better prognosis is when cancer is diagnosed in the early stages. Consult the best Ovarian Cancer specialist who will accurately diagnose and devise a prognosis to treat cancer of the ovaries.