About Ovarian Cancer

Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by

• Ovarian Cancer

• Epithelial ovarian carcinoma

• Germ cell tumors

• Stromal cell tumors

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, which are small organs in the female body that produce eggs and hormones. Ovarian cancer happens when the cells in the ovaries start to grow out of control. These cells can form a lump called a tumor. If not treated, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body.

There are three main types of ovarian cancer:

• Epithelial Ovarian Carcinomas: This is the most common type, making up about 85-90% of ovarian cancers. It starts in the cells on the surface of the ovary. This type often spreads to other areas in the abdomen.

• Germ Cell Tumors: These are rare and make up less than 2% of ovarian cancers. They start in the cells that produce eggs. Germ cell tumors usually affect younger women and can often be treated successfully.

• Stromal Cell Tumors: These are rare and account for about 1% of ovarian cancers. They start in the tissue that makes hormones and supports the ovaries. Stromal tumors are often found early and can usually be treated well.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer can be difficult to detect early because its symptoms are often mistaken for other, less serious conditions. Here are some common signs to watch out for:

• Bloating or a swollen tummy that doesn't go away

• Feeling full quickly when eating, or not feeling hungry

• Pain in your belly or pelvis

• Needing to pee more often or more urgently than usual

• Changes in your bowel habits, like constipation

• Unexplained weight loss

• Feeling very tired all the time

• Back pain

• Pain during sex

• Changes in your periods, like heavier bleeding or irregular cycles

Having these symptoms doesn't always mean you have ovarian cancer. But if you notice any of these signs lasting for more than two weeks, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor. Early detection is key in fighting ovarian cancer.

Additional Considerations

• Risk factors: Age, family history, and BRCA gene mutations can increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

Screening: While there's no definitive screening test, pelvic exams and transvaginal ultrasounds can aid in early detection.

• Follow-up care: Regular checkups after treatment are essential to monitor for recurrence.

Treatments

If someone is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, there are several ways doctors can treat it:

• Surgery: This is usually the first step. A surgeon removes the cancer from the body. They might take out the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and sometimes the uterus too.

• Chemotherapy: This treatment uses strong medicines to kill or stop cancer cells from growing. It's often given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.

• Targeted therapy: These are newer drugs that attack specific parts of cancer cells. They can sometimes work when regular chemotherapy doesn't.

     • Immunotherapy: This treatment helps your body's own immune system fight the cancer.

Hormone therapy: For some types of ovarian cancer, doctors might use medicines that block hormones that help the cancer grow.

     • Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It's not used as often for ovarian cancer as the other treatments.

The doctor will choose the best treatment plan based on several factors, including the stage and type of cancer, and the patient's overall health. Often, a combination of these treatments works best.

Trend

• Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among women in the United States. In 2023, about 19,710 women are expected to be diagnosed with this cancer.

• Around 100,000 women in the United States have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the last five years. This includes both new cases and women who have had the cancer come back.

•  In the next five years, the number of new ovarian cancer cases is expected to stay about the same, with around 20,000 new cases each year. 

• New treatments and better ways to find the cancer early may help more women survive.

History

Ovarian cancer has been known for a long time, but we have learned a lot about it in recent years. 

In the early 1900s, many women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer at later stages, making it harder to treat. In the 1970s, new treatments like chemotherapy improved how doctors could help patients. In the 1990s, scientists discovered certain genes, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, that can increase the risk of ovarian cancer. 

Today, researchers are working hard to find better ways to detect and treat ovarian cancer, helping women live longer and healthier lives.

Ovarian Cancer - Source of Information

• American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/ovarian-cancer.html 

• Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20375941 

• National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/ovarian

For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.