What is this?
Ovarian cancer occurs in the ovaries, which are part of the female reproductive system. It is often not detected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen, making it more challenging to treat.
The ovaries are
composed of three types of cells, each of which can develop into a different
type of tumor:
Some ovarian tumors
are benign (non-cancerous) and remain confined to the ovary. Malignant
(cancerous) or borderline (low malignant potential) tumors can metastasize to
other parts of the body and can be life-threatening.
Types of Ovarian Tumors
○
Benign: Includes serous cystadenomas, mucinous cystadenomas, and
Brenner tumors, which don't spread and usually aren't serious.
○
Borderline: Tumors with low malignant potential, such as atypical
proliferative serous and mucinous carcinomas, affect younger women, grow
slowly, and are less life-threatening.
○
Malignant: Epithelial carcinomas, which make up 85-90% of ovarian
cancers, include types like serous (most common), clear cell, mucinous, and
endometrioid. They are graded by how much they resemble normal tissue,
affecting prognosis and treatment.
○
Teratomas: Can be benign (mature teratoma) or malignant (immature
teratoma), with mature teratomas being the most common and usually curable by
surgery.
○
Dysgerminoma: The most common malignant germ cell tumor, typically
affects teens and twenties, and has a high cure rate with treatment.
○
Endodermal Sinus Tumor and
Choriocarcinoma: Rare and
aggressive but usually responsive to chemotherapy.
○
Comprising
about 1% of ovarian cancers, often found early and usually have a good
prognosis. Common types include granulosa cell tumors, which can produce
hormones causing symptoms like abnormal bleeding.
○
Usually
related to ovulation and often resolved without treatment. In non-ovulating
females or if persistent, further tests may be needed to rule out cancer.
Other Related Cancers
Treatment typically
involves surgery and may include chemotherapy or radiation, depending on the
type and stage of the tumor. Early detection and treatment significantly
improve outcomes.
Causes of Ovarian Cancer:
The exact causes of
ovarian cancer are not fully understood, but several factors can increase the
risk of developing the disease:
○
Inherited Gene Mutations: BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations
significantly increase the risk of ovarian cancer. These mutations can be
inherited from either parent.
○
Family History: A family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or
colorectal cancer can increase risk due to shared genetic factors.
○
Age: The risk increases with age, especially after menopause.
○
Menstruation History: Early menstruation (before age 12) or
late menopause (after age 52) increases the risk due to prolonged exposure to
estrogen.
○
Childbearing and Fertility: Women who have never been pregnant have
a higher risk. Conversely, pregnancy and breastfeeding may reduce the risk.
○
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Long-term use of estrogen replacement
therapy without progesterone increases the risk, particularly in postmenopausal
women.
○
Obesity: Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher
risk of developing ovarian cancer.
○
Previous Cancers: A history of breast, colorectal, or endometrial cancer
may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
○
Endometriosis: A condition where the tissue that normally lines the
inside of the uterus grows outside it, can increase risk.
○
Lynch Syndrome: Also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
(HNPCC), this syndrome increases the risk of ovarian and other cancers.
Symptoms:
Frequent symptoms
(occurring roughly 12 or more times a month) include:
●
A
swollen or bloated tummy
●
Pain
or tenderness in the abdomen or pelvis
●
Loss
of appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
●
An
urgent need to urinate or needing to urinate more often
Other symptoms of
ovarian cancer can include:
●
Indigestion
●
Constipation
or diarrhea
●
Back
pain
●
Persistent
fatigue
●
Unintentional
weight loss
●
Postmenopausal
vaginal bleeding
Treatment:
There are different
types of treatments available for cervical cancer.
●
Surgery
● Radiation therapy
● Chemotherapy
● Targeted
therapy
●
Immunotherapy
Most patients undergo
surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. The different types of
surgery include:
1.
Hysterectomy: This surgery involves removing the uterus and sometimes
the cervix. There are several variations:
○
Partial Hysterectomy: Only the uterus is removed.
○
Total Hysterectomy: Both the uterus and the cervix are
removed.
○
Vaginal Hysterectomy: The uterus and cervix are removed through
the vagina.
○
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy: The uterus and cervix are removed through
a large incision in the abdomen.
○
Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: The uterus and cervix are removed
through a small incision in the abdomen using a laparoscope.
2. Unilateral
Salpingo-Oophorectomy: A
surgical procedure to remove one ovary and one fallopian tube.
3. Bilateral
Salpingo-Oophorectomy: A
surgical procedure to remove both ovaries and both fallopian tubes.
4. Omentectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the
omentum, which is tissue in the peritoneum containing blood vessels, nerves,
lymph vessels, and lymph nodes.
5. Lymph
Node Biopsy: The removal of all or
part of a lymph node, which a pathologist examines under a microscope to check
for cancer cells.
Prevention:
●
Modifying
lifestyle or dietary habits.
●
Avoiding
known cancer-causing substances.
●
Taking
medications to treat precancerous conditions or to prevent the onset of cancer.