Ovarian Cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries and spreads throughout the female reproductive organs and the body. It is one of the most common cancers among women. Ovarian cancer is usually not found in regular pelvic examinations. It usually takes more advanced tests to be diagnosed.
Signs and symptoms of this disease.
Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
Urinary urgency or frequency
Upset stomach
Back pain
Constipation
Menstrual changes
Unexplained changes in bowel habits
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Ongoing unusual fatigue
Pain during intercourse
Women who get this disease.
-Women who have unexplained infertility
-Women who have used estrogen alone as a hormone replacement therapy -Generations of Ovarian cancer especially mother, daughter, sister
-50 or older
-Menstrual History more likely if 1st period was before 12 -Certain gene mutations, including BRCA1, BRCA2
- If your 1st child was past 30
- Women older than 50 Stage 1- The cancer is set in the ovaries.
Stage 2- The cancer cells have spread past the ovary, but nowhere past the pelvis. It has spread past organs such as the uterus, bladder, vagina, and lower intestines. Cancer cells that move past the ovaries are more likely to move past the pelvis.
Stage 3- The cancer cells have spread past the pelvis also, to close lymph nodes or abdominal organs such as small intestine, and stomach.
Stage 4- The cancer cells have spread past the liver and past the abdomen to other parts of the body such as the lungs and brain.
There are three types of Ovarian Cancer:Epithelial-Cancer rses from cells that line cover the ovaries. Ninety percent of cases are diagnosed by this type of cancer. Germ Cell- The cancers begin from the cells that are destined to form eggs within the ovaries. Five to ten percent of ovarian cancer is diagnosed by this type of cancer. Sex cord-stromal cell- Cancer begins in the connective tissue that holds the ovary together. This type is very rare. Before Surgery -The gynecologic, oncologist, or gynecologist will perform the CA-125 blood test is an attempt to decide whether ovarian cancer can happen or is possible.
-Surgery is usually needed to tell whether or not you actually have this disease.
-Your gynecologic oncologist may have you take additional tests that can help them gauge whether cancer may have spread beyond the ovaries to the lungs, the bladder, or the large intestine. CT scan- takes x-rays of multiple cross sections of the internal organs, pelvis, and abdomen. Chest x-ray- a chest x-ray should be done to evaluate the lungs and the area that surrounds them. Ovarian Cancer that has spread can make fluids that collect around the lungs, pleural effusion, or even cause tumors to form in the lungs. If pleural effusions are found your doctor may want to withdraw some for sample analysis.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries and spreads throughout the female reproductive organs and the body. It is one of the most common cancers among women. Ovarian cancer is usually not found in regular pelvic examinations. It usually takes more advanced tests to be diagnosed.
Signs and symptoms of this disease.
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Upset stomach
- Back pain
- Constipation
- Menstrual changes
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Ongoing unusual fatigue
- Pain during intercourse
Women who get this disease.
-Women who have unexplained infertility
-Women who have used estrogen alone as a hormone replacement therapy
-Generations of Ovarian cancer especially mother, daughter, sister
-50 or older
-Menstrual History more likely if 1st period was before 12
-Certain gene mutations, including BRCA1, BRCA2
- If your 1st child was past 30
- Women older than 50
Stage 1- The cancer is set in the ovaries.
Stage 2- The cancer cells have spread past the ovary, but nowhere past the pelvis. It has spread past organs such as the uterus, bladder, vagina, and lower intestines. Cancer cells that move past the ovaries are more likely to move past the pelvis.
Stage 3- The cancer cells have spread past the pelvis also, to close lymph nodes or abdominal organs such as small intestine, and stomach.
Stage 4- The cancer cells have spread past the liver and past the abdomen to other parts of the body such as the lungs and brain.
There are three types of Ovarian Cancer:Epithelial-Cancer rses from cells that line cover the ovaries. Ninety percent of cases are diagnosed by this type of cancer.
Germ Cell- The cancers begin from the cells that are destined to form eggs within the ovaries. Five to ten percent of ovarian cancer is diagnosed by this type of cancer.
Sex cord-stromal cell- Cancer begins in the connective tissue that holds the ovary together. This type is very rare.
Before Surgery
-The gynecologic, oncologist, or gynecologist will perform the CA-125 blood test is an attempt to decide whether ovarian cancer can happen or is possible.
-Surgery is usually needed to tell whether or not you actually have this disease.
-Your gynecologic oncologist may have you take additional tests that can help them gauge whether cancer may have spread beyond the ovaries to the lungs, the bladder, or the large intestine.
CT scan- takes x-rays of multiple cross sections of the internal organs, pelvis, and abdomen.
Chest x-ray- a chest x-ray should be done to evaluate the lungs and the area that surrounds them. Ovarian Cancer that has spread can make fluids that collect around the lungs, pleural effusion, or even cause tumors to form in the lungs. If pleural effusions are found your doctor may want to withdraw some for sample analysis.