Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries. Which are female reproductive organs that produce eggs.

Causes

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women.

• The main risk factors of ovarian cancer are:
  
  
  • Older age
  • Family history of ovarian, breast, or hereditary colorectal cancer
  • BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations
  • Obesity
  • Hormone replacement therapy use for 5 or more years
  • Not having had children

• Factors that reduce the risk of ovarian cancer include:
  
  
  • Taking birth control pills
  • Giving birth to at least one child
  • Tubal ligation (tying fallopian tubes) or hysterectomy (removal of uterus) after childbearing

• Unexplained back pain that worsens over time
• Increased abdominal girth
• Non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms:
• Increased urinary frequency or urgency
• Excessive hair growth
• Sense of pelvic heaviness
• Vague lower abdominal discomfort
• Vaginal bleeding
• Weight gain or loss
• Abnormal menstrual cycles

• A physical examination Tests include:
  
  
  • CBC
  • Blood chemistry
  • CA125 – a tumor marker test
  • Alpha fetoprotein – a tumor marker test
  • Urinalysis
  • Ultrasound
  • Abdominal CT scan or MRI of abdomen

Surgery is the preferred treatment and is often needed to diagnose ovarian cancer. Surgery involves removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and the omentum (the fatty layer that covers organs in the abdomen).

• About 76% of women with ovarian cancer survive 1 year after diagnosis.
• About 45% live longer than 5 years after diagnosis.
• If diagnosis is made early in the disease and treatment is received before the cancer spreads outside the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is about 94%.

• Spread of the cancer to other organs
• Loss of organ function
• Fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
• Blockage of the intestines

1. If you are a woman over 40 years old who has not recently had a pelvic examination.
2. Routine pelvic examinations are recommended for all women over 20 years old.

• Having regular pelvic examinations may decrease the overall risk.
• Genetic Counseling and Screening for BRCA Genes – for high risk women
• Removal of Ovaries (Oophorectomy) - Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is very effective in reducing risk for ovarian cancer in women who carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.