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Ovarian cancer is a medical condition wherein you have an abnormal growth of cells in your ovaries. These cells undergo rapid multiplication and invade other healthy cells. This results in the destruction of healthy body tissues.
The female reproductive system has two ovaries on either side of the uterus. Each is an almond-producing egg with two hormones called progesterone and oestrogen.
Surgery and chemotherapy are two widely practised ovarian cancer treatment methods.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms – A Quick Glance
The initial onset of your ovarian cancer may not give you any noticeable ovarian cancer symptoms. However, the progressed stage shows a few signs and symptoms like:
- Stomach fulfilment while eating
- Bloating in the abdomen or swelling
- Weight loss
- Pelvic discomfort
- Back pain
- Fatigue
- Bowel changes
- Frequent urge to urinate
How Ovarian Cancer Develops
Along with your ovarian cancer symptoms, we need to identify the causes to deduce a treatment.
Ovarian cancer starts when your ovarian cells or cells surrounding your ovaries undergo DNA mutations. A cell’s DNA is its controlling mind, which guides the cell in what it should do. These mutations direct the cells to grow abnormally and quickly, resulting in uncontrolled tumours of cancerous cells. These cells continue to survive by killing your healthy cells. They invade nearby tissues, breaking off from their initial tumour zone and metastasising to other body parts.
Types of Ovarian Cancer You Should Be Familiar With
The type of ovarian cancer is determined by the cell type where it begins. Identifying the kind earlier helps doctors decide the correct treatment. The three ovarian cancer types are:
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
This is the most common one, and it includes several subtypes. Serous and mucinous carcinoma are the most familiar ones.
Stromal Cancer
These are rare ovarian cancers usually detected in earlier stages than other types.
Germ Cell Tumours
Germ cell tumours are also rare ovarian cancers, mainly occurring at a younger age.
What are the Risk Factors Associated with Ovarian Cancer?
Factors increasing your chances of developing ovarian cancers are:
- Inherited genetic changes – A small percentage of ovarian cancers are inherited from your parents.
- Family history – If ovarian cancer runs down in your family history.
- Obesity – If you find yourself to be obese
- Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy – Undergoing hormone therapy for controlling the signs and symptoms of your menopause
- Age of start and stop of your menstrual cycle – age when you start or end your menstrual cycle
- Old age – Diagnosed majorly in old age
Suggested Read: What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS?
How Is Your Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?
Despite several stringent types of research, there is still no successful screening test developed for ovarian cancer. For this reason, ovarian cancer is often difficult to diagnose in its initial stages.
Your doctor usually asks you about your symptoms and conducts a pelvic exam. While performing this exam, they will check whether you have abnormal growths or any associated organ enlargement.
Additional tests may be recommended, such as –
Imaging Tests
The imaging tests for detecting ovarian cancers are pelvic ultrasound, MRI, CT scanning, PET and scanning.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are conducted to assess the levels of CA-125 protein.
Surgical Evaluation
Your doctors can evaluate your ovarian cancers during surgery. If they find abnormal growths, they will remove it immediately.
Laparoscopy
While performing laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon places a thin camera through an incision in your abdomen. This scope works as a guide along with your additional ports for holding instruments. Your surgeon assesses your ovarian cancer by performing staging biopsies and then removes it.
For a personalised treatment plan, contact the best oncologist in Lucknow.
Ovarian Cancer Treatment and Management
Your doctor’s end goal is to remove the majority of your tumour, if not the entire mass. Standard ovarian cancer treatment options include:
Surgery
Here, your doctor will remove your reproductive organ and any associated parts. This is either performed with the help of laparoscopy or laparotomy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapeutic drugs are recommended that target and kill the cancerous cells in your ovaries.
Targeted Therapy
This therapy identifies and attacks the cancer-causing cells in your ovaries.
