Facts About Ovarian Cancer
What is ovarian cancer?
The ovaries are the part of the female reproductive system
that produce eggs every month during a woman's reproductive years. They are
located on either side of the lower abdomen. Ovarian cancer occurs when cells
in the ovary grow and divide uncontrollably. The cells may form a tumor on the
ovary, or they also can break off from the main tumor and spread to other parts
of the body. Although ovarian cancer can spread throughout the entire body, in
most cases it stays in the abdomen and affects organs such as the intestines,
liver and stomach. There are several types of ovarian cancer. However, most
cancers of the ovary come from the cells that make up the outer lining of the
ovary.
How common is ovarian cancer?
A woman’s risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime
is about one in 67. The risk of getting this cancer and dying from it is one in
95. Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women, excluding skin
cancer. It is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women.
What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
The initial symptoms are similar to gastrointestinal illness
and indigestion, making the disease hard to diagnose. For this reason, many
women are not diagnosed until late in the development of ovarian cancer. Signs
and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
general abdominal discomfort and/or pain (gas, indigestion,
pressure, bloating, cramps)
nausea, diarrhea, constipation and frequent urination
loss of appetite
feeling of fullness even after a light meal
weight gain or loss with no known reason
abnormal bleeding from the vagina may occur as a late
symptom
These symptoms may be caused by ovarian cancer or by other
less serious conditions. It is important to check with a doctor about any of
these symptoms.
What are some risk factors for ovarian cancer?
The exact causes of ovarian cancer are not known. However,
studies show that the following risk factors may increase the chance of
developing this disease:
Family history — first-degree relatives (mother, daughter,
sister), especially if two or more have had the disease. A family history of
breast or colon cancer also is associated with an increased risk of developing
ovarian cancer.
Age — most ovarian cancers occur in women 50 years of age or
older, with the highest risk in women older than 60.
Non-childbearing — women who have never had children. In
fact, the more children a woman has had, the less likely she is to develop
ovarian cancer.
Personal history — women who have had breast or colon cancer
may be at greater risk.
Obesity – women who are obese have a higher rate of death
from ovarian cancer.
Fertility drugs — drugs that cause women to ovulate may
slightly increase a woman's risk.
Talc — some studies suggest that women who have used talc in
the genital area for many years may be at increased risk of developing ovarian
cancer.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — some evidence suggests
that women who use HRT after menopause may have a slightly increased risk of
developing this disease.
How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
Many times women with ovarian cancer have no symptoms or
just mild symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage. Ovarian cancer is
difficult to diagnose and is often diagnosed after the disease is advanced.
Some diagnostic exams and tests that may be useful are:
Pelvic exam — includes feeling the uterus, vagina, ovaries,
fallopian tubes, bladder and rectum to find any abnormality in their shape or
size.
Ultrasound — uses high-frequency sound waves. These waves
are aimed at the ovaries and produce a pattern of echoes to create a picture
(sonogram). Healthy tissues, fluid-filled cysts and tumors look different on
this picture.
CA-125 assay — a blood test used to measure the level of
CA-125, a tumor marker that is often found in higher-than-normal amounts in the
blood of women with ovarian cancer as well as other cancers.
Lower Gastrointestinal series or barium enema — a series of
X-rays of the colon and rectum. The pictures are taken after the patient is
given an enema with a white, chalky solution containing barium. The barium
outlines the colon and rectum making tumors or other abnormal areas easier to
see.
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) scan — a series of
detailed pictures of the organs inside the body created by a computer linked to
an X-ray machine.
Biopsy — the removal of tissue for examination under a
microscope. A definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer requires surgery. The
initial surgery has two purposes. First, to remove any cancer that exists (or
as much as possible), including removing the ovaries and the uterus; and
second, to sample tissues and surrounding lymph nodes to determine where the
tumor has spread and the stage of the disease. The best prognosis for survival
occur when all the cancer can be removed.
What are the treatment options for ovarian cancer?
After diagnosis, a doctor will suggest one or more options
for treatment. The type of treatment depends on the type of cancer and the
stage of the disease. If surgery has not been performed yet, the exact stage
may not be known. The main treatments for ovarian cancer are surgery,
chemotherapy and radiation or a combination of the three
