What are the ovaries?

The ovaries are female reproductive organs located in the pelvis. There are two of them, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone control the development of female body characteristics (i.e., breasts, body shape and body hair), and regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a disease in which malignant cells are found in an ovary. There are three types of ovarian tumors, named for the tissue in which they are found:

• epithelial cell - cells that cover the surface of the ovary
  Most of these tumors are benign. However, epithelial ovarian cancer accounts for 85 to 90 percent of ovarian cancer cases.
• germ cell - cells that form the eggs in the ovary
• stromal cell - cells that form the ovary and produce female hormones
  

What causes ovarian cancer?

The cause of ovarian cancer is not yet known. Ovarian cancer accounts for nearly 4 percent of all cancers among women and ranks second among gynecologic cancers.

What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?

The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but there are certain risk factors that indicate an increase in a woman's chance of developing ovarian cancer. The following have been suggested as risk factors for ovarian cancer:

• early menarche - starting monthly periods early - before the age of 12
• late menopause (after the age of 52)
• age-over the age of 50
• hormone replacement therapy
  Some studies have suggested that women who use hormone replacement therapy after menopause may have a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer.
• infertility (inability to become pregnant)
• having a first child after the age of 30
• personal history of breast or colon cancer
• family history
  First-degree relatives (such as mother, daughter, sister) of a woman who has had ovarian cancer are at risk for developing the disease. The risk increases if two or more first-degree relatives have had ovarian cancer. A family history of breast or colon cancer is also associated with an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
• fertility drugs

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

The following are the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• general discomfort in the lower abdomen, including any/all of the following:

  feeling swollen or bloated
  a loss of appetite or a feeling of fullness - even after a light meal
  gas, indigestion, and nausea

• weight loss
• diarrhea or constipation, or frequent urination caused by the growing tumor, which may press on nearby organs, such as the bowel or bladder
• bleeding from the vagina
• build up of fluid around the lungs, which may cause shortness of breath

In many cases, symptoms may be so vague that they are easily ignored. The symptoms of ovarian cancer may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Diagnosis includes a medical history and physical exam, including a pelvic exam to feel the vagina, rectum, and lower abdomen for masses or growths. A Pap test may be requested as part of the pelvic exam. The physician may also order other tests, including:

• ultrasound - an imaging technique that uses sound waves to produce an image on a monitor of the abdominal organs, such as the uterus, liver, and kidneys.
• computed tomography (also called a CT or CAT scan) - a non-invasive procedure that takes cross-sectional images of internal organs to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray. The CT scan may indicate enlarged lymph nodes - a possible sign of a spreading cancer or of an infection.
• lower gastrointestinal (GI) series - x-rays of the colon and rectum using a contrast dye called barium.
• intravenous pyelogram (IVP) - x-ray of the kidneys and ureters, taken after the injection of a dye.
• blood test - to measure a substance in the blood called CA-125 - a tumor marker.
• biopsy - removal of a sample of tissue via a hollow needle or scalpel.

Treatment for ovarian cancer:

Specific treatment for ovarian cancer will be determined by your physician based on:

• your overall health and medical history
• extent of the disease
• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference

Ovarian cancer may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of treatments.

• Surgery
  Surgery for ovarian cancer may include:

debulking surgery – removal of all visible cancer from the abdomen
salpingo-oophorectomy - surgery to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
hysterectomy - surgical removal of the uterus.
pelvic lymph node dissection - removal of some lymph nodes from the pelvis.

• Chemotherapy - the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancerous cells. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell’s ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells. The oncologist will recommend a treatment plan for each individual. (more info)

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is also available to cancer patients at Huntington Hospital. In this procedure, a catheter is used to dispense medication directly into the abdomen. The patient must remain overnight in the hospital. Used in combination with traditional intravenous chemotherapy, this treatment may improve the outcome for some ovarian cancer patients.

• Radiation Therapy - the use of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and to shrink tumors. A machine called a linear accelerator, controlled by a radiation therapist, is used to send high levels of radiation directly to the cancer cells. (more info)

Special shields may be used to protect the tissue surrounding the treatment area. Radiation treatments are painless and usually last just a few minutes.

 

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