Ovarian cancer (patient information)
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What is ovarian cancer?
Ovaries are reproductive glands only in women. Its functions are to produce ova for reproduction and maintain the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer doesn't have any early symptoms. With the development of the cancer, frequent symptoms include heavy feeling in pelvis, pain in lower abdomen, bleeding from the vagina, weight gain or loss and abnormal periods. Treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of them.
How do I know if I have ovarian cancer and what are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Early ovarian cancer does not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Heavy feeling in pelvis
- Pain in lower abdomen
- Bleeding from the vagina
- Weight gain or loss, loss of appetite
- Abnormal periods
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for ovarian cancer?
Clinical data has suggested that the development of ovarian cancer is related to several factors.
- Some drugs or treatment protocols: Recent studies show that fertility drugs, androgens and estrogen replacement therapy may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Reproductive history: Clinical survey suggests that women who have had children have a lower risk of ovarian cancer than women who have no children. The risk gets even lower with each pregnancy.
- Personal history of breast cancer: Studies show the person who has the history of breast cancer has higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. The reason may be inherited a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
- Family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer: Clinical data show the person who has the family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer has higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. These may also be inherited mutated of some gene.
- Talcum powder: Some surveys show that talcum powder applied directly to the genital area or on sanitary napkins may increase the chance of getting ovaries cancer.
- Life-style: A rich-fat diet and obesity may increase the risk of getting ovarian cancer.
- Age: Clinical data suggest most ovarian cancers develop after menopause.
How to know you have ovarian cancer?
- Ultrasonography: This is an painless test which uses sound waves to create a picture of the internal organs. Because tumors generate different echoes of sound waves than normal tissue, the doctor can locate a mass inside the body.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy: CT scans are often used to diagnose ovarian cancer. It can confirm the location of the cancer and show the organs near the ovaries, as well as lymph nodes and distant organs where the cancer might have spread. These are helpful for determining the stage of the cancer and in determining whether surgery is a good treatment option. CT scans can also be used to guide biopsy and a biopsy sample is usually removed and looked at under a microscope.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces detailed images of the body. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: When doing this test, a small amount of a radioactive medium is injected into your body and absorbed by the organs or tissues. This radioactive substance gives off energy which in turn is used to produce the images. PET can provide more helpful information than either CT or MRI scans. It is useful to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and it is also useful for your doctor to locate where the cancer has spread
- Chest X-ray: This plain x-ray of your chest may be done to see if the cancer has spread to your lungs.
- Whole Bone Scan: The goal of a whole body bone scan is to show if a cancer has metastasized to your bones.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for ovarian cancer?
Directions to Hospitals Treating ovarian cancer
Prevention of ovarian cancer
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ovariancancer.html