Ovarian Cancer

General Information on Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer, or ovarian carcinoma, is cancer of the ovaries. Ovarian cancer mostly develops in women over the age of fifty and is the most second most common form of gynecologic cancer. Ovarian cancer cells metastasize, or spread, in one of two ways. The first is the cancer metastasizes directly to the pelvic or abdomen tissues. The second is the cancer metastasizes through the blood to other parts of the body. There are three different types of ovarian cancer. The first type is epithelial ovarian cancer. Epithelial ovarian cancer is cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue that covers the ovaries. The second type is germ cell ovarian cancer. Germ cell ovarian cancer is cancer that develops in the cells of the ovaries that produce the eggs. Germ cell ovarian cancer typically develops in younger women than in older women. The third type of ovarian cancer is stromal ovarian cancer. Stromal ovarian cancer is cancer that develops in the tissue that produces estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer causes the affected ovary to become enlarged. Many women have no symptoms until the cancer has become advanced and has spread to other areas of the body. Due to this fact, ovarian cancer used to be known as the silent killer. However, the symptoms do become more noticeable and worsen as the ovarian cancer progresses.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer may be:

Enlarged ovaries
Discomfort in the lower abdomen
Bloating
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Backache
Gas pains
Pelvic pain
Anemia
Breast enlargement – in germ cell and stromal ovarian cancer
Body hair growth – in germ cell and stromal ovarian cancer
Urinary urgency
Persistent indigestion
Pain during intercourse
Fatigue
Change in menstruation

Treatments For Ovarian Cancer

The treatment for ovarian cancer is typically surgery. The extent of the surgery depends on the type of the ovarian cancer and the stage that it is in. If the cancer has not spread, than removal of the ovary and the connecting fallopian tube may be all that is needed. Should the cancer have spread to other areas of the body then surgery takes place to remove the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the following affected areas. After surgery, for epithelial ovarian cancer, typically no further treatment is necessary. After surgery, for germ cell and stromal ovarian cancer, chemotherapy is typically necessary. For any advanced form of ovarian cancer, chemotherapy is necessary.

Personal Experience

Ovarian Cancer - personal experiences