What Is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer refers to the condition where there is abnormal cell growth in the ovaries. It is a type of cancer that is very specific to the female reproductive system. Each female possesses a pair of ovaries, with one located on each side of the uterus. Ovaries are the specialized organs that produce eggs. Despite its small size, it plays a significant role in maintaining hormonal equilibrium by producing progesterone and estrogen.
If ovarian cancer is undetected or untreated, then it can spread to other parts of the abdomen and pelvis. After the spreading has occurred, the intensity of ovarian cancer becomes very hard to treat. A specialized treatment protocol will be recommended in these cases.
What Are the Causes of Ovarian Cancer?
The exact cause of the occurrence of ovarian cancer remains unidentified. After going through a lot of medical research, it has been assumed that genetic mutation in the DNA(Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is a cause of ovarian cancer. A familial history of ovarian cancer can also cause this condition. Any alterations in the gene might result in abnormal proliferation of the cells. This might result in the accumulation of an abnormal mass of the tumor. These abnormal cells should be easily eliminated from the body if the individual is healthy.
In unhealthy conditions, abnormal cells continue to survive the individual and result in severe conditions and complications. The most severe complication occurs when cancer starts spreading to other tissues by metastasis(a process by which cancer spreads to other sites distant from the site of origin).
What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
The various symptoms associated with ovarian cancer are:
- Rapidly experiencing a sensation of fullness upon eating.
- Abdominal bloating or swelling.
- Discomfort or pain in the pelvis area.
- Weight loss.
- Increased urge to urinate.
- Alterations in bowel habits might result in constipation.
- Bleeding from the vagina.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Abnormal patterns of periods.
- Complete loss of appetite.
- Back pain.
In other cases, certain severe symptoms could be noticed. They are:
- Heartburn.
- Fatigue.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- An inflammatory condition in the skin might result in skin rashes. This condition is known as dermatomyositis.
There are also possibilities for these symptoms to occur due to some other causes. It does not necessarily indicate the presence of ovarian cancer. For each woman, the signs and symptoms might vary due to hormonal differences and varied menstrual patterns. Some of the symptoms mentioned above might only be in mild degrees, so they can be treated very well.
What Are the Stages of Ovarian Cancer?
The stages of ovarian cancer are categorized below:
- Stage 1: There are three sub-categories of stage 1. They are:
Stage 1A: The involvement of cancer occurs only in one ovary.
Stage 1B: The involvement of cancer occurs only in both ovaries.
Stage 1C: The cancer involvement is seen in tissues that stay outside the ovary.
- Stage 2: In stage 2, cancer starts spreading to other structures around the pelvis. There are two sub-categories in this stage.
Stage 2A: In this stage, the spreading of the cancer is seen in the fallopian tubes or the uterus.
Stage 2B: In this stage, the spreading of the cancer is seen in the rectum or bladder.
- Stage 3: There are three sub-categories for stage 3.
Stage 3A: The cancer involvement is seen up to the lining of the abdomen. There is also the involvement of the lymph nodes near the abdomen.
Stage 3B: Cancer that has spread to the other regions will become visible lesions and measure less than two centimeters.
Stage 3C: Cancer would have developed to the measurement of three or four inches. The external parts of the liver and spleen are involved. There is no involvement seen in the internal structures of the spleen and liver.
- Stage 4: This is the most severe and last stage of cancer. There are two sub-categories in this stage. They are:
Stage 4A: In this stage, the cancer cells would have built up in the fluid that is found around the lungs.
Stage 4B: There is severe involvement of cancer in other regions like the brain, spleen, and liver.
How Does Ovarian Cancer Differ From Ovarian Cyst?
The majority of ovarian cyst is only benign cysts. A small part of the ovarian cysts can be cancerous. An ovarian cyst is nothing but a collection of air or fluid in the ovary. The fluid can be collected in the areas surrounding the ovary also. As a result of the normal pattern of ovulation, ovarian cysts might occur.
When the eggs are released from the ovary, any mild symptoms might occur. If ovulation does not happen at all, then it is an indication that the ovarian cyst is in a dangerous condition. It is a normal phenomenon for women to stop ovulating after the period of menopause. This menopause usually happens after 40 to 45 years of age.
If ovulation stops at a much earlier stage, then it is a red flag. The cyst can be treated easily by exercises and medications. Ovarian cancer cannot be cured with the help of exercise, so a patient will be recommended for cancer treatment modalities like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
What Are the Types of Ovarian Cancer?
The various types of ovarian cancer are:
1. Epithelial Tumors: It begins in the thin layer of tissue. It encloses the ovaries. Greater than 90 percent of ovarian cancers are identified to be epithelial tumors.
2. Stromal Tumors: It starts in the ovarian tissue. It affects the hormone-producing cells. These cancers are usually identified at an earlier stage compared to ovarian tumors. Only a few cases are reported to be stromal tumors.
3. Germ Cell Tumors: Younger women are most commonly affected by this type of cancer. They are found in egg-producing cells.
What Are the Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer?
The risk factors linked with ovarian cancer are:
- Age: Age plays a vital role in deciding the severity of ovarian cancer. There are possibilities for the condition of ovarian cancer to manifest at any age. The highest incidence is seen in women who are more than 50 to 60 years of age.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy: Patients who have a hormonal imbalance or dysfunction of a particular hormone would be recommended to go for hormone replacement therapy.
- Genetic Mutations: If genetic mutations are identified in the breast cancer gene, this might increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Both breast cancer gene one and breast cancer gene two can increase the risk.
- Lynch syndrome: The occurrence of conditions like Lynch syndrome(a hereditary disorder that increases the risk of cancer development) can increase the risk.
- Starting Time and Ending Time of the Menstrual Cycle: If an individual begins the menstrual cycle at a much earlier stage, then it serves as a risk factor. Stopping the menstrual cycle at an earlier age can also increase the risk.
How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?
The doctor might recommend a pelvic examination to identify ovarian cancer. This will help the doctor in identifying the irregularities. If the tumor is very small, then it is difficult to identify them. In such cases, the doctor will recommend the following test.
1. Transvaginal Ultrasound: It is a type of imaging technique that uses the help of soundwaves to identify the tumors that are present in the reproductive organs like the ovaries. The main drawback of this method is that it cannot identify whether the tumor is benign or malignant.
2. CT (Computed Tomography): Scan of pelvis.
3. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): MRI scan of the pelvis.
4. Blood Examination: Blood examination to count the level of cancer antigen 125. This test is the biomarker for the identification of response from ovarian cancer.
5. Biopsy: A small tissue piece is removed as a sample and sent to the laboratory for diagnosis under the microscope.
What Are the Treatment Options?
The treatment will be regulated by the doctor on the severity of cancer and the age of the patient. The most widely recommended treatment options for ovarian cancer are:
- Hormone therapy.
- Targeted drug therapy.
- Chemotherapy.
- Surgical options: Surgery is the most successful treatment for ovarian cancer. The goal of the surgery is to remove the tumor along with the complete removal of the uterus.
Is Preservation of Fertility Necessary for Ovarian Cancer Patients?
Patients with ovarian cancer might undergo several treatment procedures that can have a direct influence on the reproductive capacity of the women. It might end up in challenging situations by making it difficult for a woman to get pregnant. Therefore, the preservation of fertility is necessary. Oocyte freezing, embryo freezing, surgery, and ovarian suppression are some options available to preserve fertility.
Conclusion
The prognosis for ovarian cancer is good if the cancer is identified in the initial stages. If it is identified in the later stage, then the patient is expected to survive only for five years approximately. If cancer has not spread to other regions, then the survival rate is more than 90 percent. If the lymph nodes are involved, and there is damage to the liver and lungs, then the prognosis is considered to be poor in such cases.
