An Overview on Ovarian Cancer

Ovaries are two small, organs located on either side of the uterus responsible for reproduction, hormone production and fertility in a woman’s body. Ovarian cancer can disrupt both fertility and hormonal balance causing major problems to the body. It is not a very common cancer but it is one among the deadliest type. Don’t worry if you are someone who’s been diagnosed with Ovarian cancer as you are not alone in this. In fact, about 3,00,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer worldwide each year. One of the major reasons on why it could be deadly is due to it being detected late. It is very much treatable in the early stages. People tend to brush off the symptoms in the early stages as they might not seem very severe and wait until it gets worse. That’s why its important to be aware of the symptoms, causes, types and treatment options. Let’s get right into it!

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer which develops in the ovaries which is responsible for egg production and vital hormone production. The reason why ovarian cancer is dangerous is because of its ability to spread rapidly even before its detected. Most of the people ignore the early symptom as it can be vague and less severe. That’s why its very important to know the symptoms.

Symptoms:

• Constant bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Feeling full quickly when eating.
• Unexplainable fatigue
• Menstrual cycle changes
• Back pain
• Frequent or urgent urination

As you can see, these symptoms don’t seem serious enough for it to be cancer related and it doesn’t always mean a sign of cancer. Thus, you don’t have to panic if you are someone experiencing these symptoms but if they persist, don’t hesitate to visit a doctor.

Causes:

There are no particular causes but these are some of the risk factors:

• Age (commonly seen in people above 50)
• Family history of ovarian, breast or colon cancer.
• Genetic mutation
• Endometriosis (a painful condition where a tissue grows outside of the uterus called the endometrium)
• Never having been pregnant despite trying.
• Side effects of hormone replacement therapy

Types of Ovarian Cancer:

1. Epithelial tumor- Begins in the ovarian surface and is very common.
2. Germ cell tumor- Begins in egg producing cells, often in younger woman.
3. Stromal tumor- Begins in hormone producing tissue and is rare.

Treatment options:

1. Surgery: 

The goal of surgery is to remove all the visible cancer in order to improve the effectiveness of further treatment. These are some of the surgical options:

• Hysterectomy – Removal of the uterus
• Bilateral salpingo-oophprectomy – Removal of the ovaries and the fallopian tube.
• Debulking surgery- Removing as much of the tumor as possible.

2. Chemotherapy:

This is a process where powerful drugs are used to kill the cells. It is usually done after the surgery. Nausea, hair loss, fatigue and lower immunity are some of the side effects of chemotherapy.

3. Targeted therapy:

This is a process where specific drugs are used to kill the cancer cells sparing the healthy ones. This has fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy.

4. Hormone therapy:

Used only on certain ovarian tumors. It is a process which blocks hormones like estrogen which help some cancers grow.

5. Radiation therapy:

It might not be a primary treatment for ovarian cancer but it could be really helpful in controlling localized recurrent tumors and in managing certain symptoms like bleeding and pain.

6. Clinical trials:

For some women, those in advanced stages especially can participate in clinical trials which can provide access to cutting-edge treatments using new combinations of drugs which might not be commonly available.

Conclusion:

Ovarian cancer is complex, unpredictable and requires personalized approach. In fact, it is highly treatable when detected early or when treated by the right hands. That’s why its crucial to choose the right oncologist. Only a highly experienced oncologist can make any difference in your treatment outcomes. If you or your loved one are concerned about ovarian cancer or are seeking expert care, Dr Shivakumar Uppala, one of the best cancer specialists in the country renowned for his ovarian cancer treatment, is here to guide you through personalized treatment options. Dr Shivakumar Uppala is an oncology surgeon who strongly believes in individual assessment and treatment plans. Ovarian cancer can be fatal so don’t compromise on early diagnosis and do visit OcnoIndia for the best cancer treatment in the country.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shivakumar Uppala