Understanding Ovarian Cancer

Answer 1

Ovarian cancer affects 25,000 women a year. It has often been called the "silent killer" because early symptoms of this of cancer are rare. Unfortunately, due to the lack of early detection only 20% of women are diagnosed in the first stages. When symptoms do arise they can include bloating, Back pain, problems eating, and pain in the pelvic region.

Several studies have been done to examine the risk factors of ovarian cancer in women and doctors have discovered several ties linking the cancer to family genetics. Women with mothers, sisters or daughters with ovarian cancer, as well as family history of breast, uterus, colon or rectal cancers have greater risks of developing it. Women who have never had children are also at risk.

Diagnosis begins with a physical exam, blood tests and an ultrasound. A hysterectomy is performed to remove the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Patients should discuss with their doctors the possibility of preserving fertility if that is a healthy option. Not only does surgery remove the cancerous ovary or ovaries but it also allows doctors to biopsy tissue from the areas and to get a good view at the patient's abdominal cavity. This is necessary to determine the stage of cancer.

There are four stages of ovarian cancer. Cancers diagnosed in stage I or stage II show the cancer has not spread to any outside tissues. A patient is in stage III when testing shows cancer cells spread outside the pelvis or to the regional lymph nodes. Stage IV diagnosis unfortunately is when the cancer has severely spread and is in tissues outside the stomach and pelvis and can be found inside the liver, lungs and other organs.

Proper treatment depends on the stage of diagnosis. Chemotherapy and radiation are often used in stages where the cancer has spread. Nutritional and physical activities are also methods people use in the treatment of ovarian cancers. Luckily there are many organizations for women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer to reach out to for support and education as well as for counseling. Emotional health while dealing with cancer is as important as medical and nutritional treatments.

Answer 2

Ovarian cancer is a condition that occurs when the cells inside of the ovaries begin to grow and divide abnormally. The cancer can affect one or both ovaries. The ovaries are responsible for producing eggs. They also produce progesterone, estrogen and small amounts of testosterone. In many cases, this condition goes undetected until it spreads to the abdomen and pelvis. Ovarian cancer is much more difficult to treat in the later stages, and it is often fatal. Symptoms Of Ovarian Cancer Many people who have ovarian cancer do not notice any signs and symptoms initially. Women who do experience symptoms are likely to experience the following: abdominal pressure, low back pain, pelvic discomfort, bloating, weight gain and fatigue. Those symptoms can easily mimic other conditions. Causes The exact causes of ovarian cancer are not clear. However, there are some factors that have been shown to increase the risk of ovarian cancer. A genetic mutation can possibly lead to ovarian cancer. Women who have a family history of ovarian cancer are more likely to develop it themselves. Ovarian cancer can develop at any age, but it is much more common in women who have gone through menopause. Women who have had breast, cervical or colon cancer are more likely to develop ovarian cancer. Furthermore, women who have never been pregnant are more likely to develop ovarian cancer. Treatment Surgery and chemotherapy are usually the treatments that are recommended for ovarian cancer. Surgery for ovarian cancer is usually extensive. The ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus will most likely be removed. If the cancer is diagnosed in the early stage, then the doctor may only remove one ovary and fallopian tube. A woman can possibly get pregnant with one ovary. Chemotherapy involves using drugs to destroy the cancer cells. The drugs are administered intravenously or injected into the abdominal cavity. Both of these methods may be used. Prevention There is nothing that can done to prevent ovarian cancer. The best thing that women can do is discuss the possible risk factors with their doctors.