Ovarian Cancer, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis

What is ovarian cancer?

In women, and in each side of her stomach no member, communicates with the uterus through the fallopian tube, this member called the ovary. The ovary has two functions:

1. Egg production and preparation until they are vaccinated
2. Gland works like deaf (secretes hormones)

Ovary consists of several tissues, each a different texture and function, every tissue of which may develop into cancer, so that multiple ovarian cancer patterns in terms of origin

Types of tumors of the ovary:

• Benign tumors and are the most common, and although they remain intact, however, that some of these benign tumors may turn into malignant tumors later
• Malignant tumors from the start
• disseminations: a tumor that started somewhere in the body and moved to the ovary (metastasis)

What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?

Although it was determined that some of the factors associated with ovarian cancer, but there are no specific reasons for sure, and the highest rates of ovarian cancer occur in industrialized countries.

• Ovarian cancer is rare in women under the age of 40, which is more frequent in women after menopause (over 50 years), however, there is one type of ovarian tumors common in girls or young women: the so-called germ cell tumors.
• Women who used the contraceptive oral less prone to ovarian cancer compared with women who never used them.
• Sometimes there is a family link in ovarian cancer, and in these cases, it is better to patients and families come to specialized centers.
• There is a link between breast cancer and ovarian cancer, as the risk of developing breast cancer up to four times in the general population in women with ovary cancer

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Often, the diagnosis of ovarian cancer be delayed due to the lack of specific symptoms or specific, so be Shafi treatment options are limited, often

Some of the symptoms that can be seen by the doctor of the patient:

Most of the symptoms that remind could be interpreted incorrectly as benign problems in the digestive tract, where they are ignored. Other symptoms such as increased abdominal circumference, which is due to the secretion of fluid in the abdomen as a result of tumor (effusion, ascites). Is often interpreted that women gained weight recently, and is given great importance.

Ovarian tumors are common in women's periodic tests, hence the importance of regular examinations of women.

1. Abdominal pain
2. Feeling gases
3. May tumor pressing on the bladder, causing urinary symptoms (urinary incontinence, or multiple Pilate)

General and gynecological examination

Sometimes the presence of the tumor will be noted, if the size allows.

• Blood test
• There are materials that are produced in ovarian cancer are called tumor markers (CEA, CA-125), these markers are useful for diagnosis, but the biggest is useful in assessing the benefit of treatment, and whether the tumor grows the number of treatment or not !!

Ultrasound

Ultrasound can provide images of the tumor: appearance, size, Is there a liquid or not .... etc., can give us an idea about whether the tumor is malignant or benign. A large proportion of cysts and ovarian tumors are not malignant: for example, a large proportion of benign cysts.

Scanner or TAC

The TAC many details about the tumor. It can also help in the detection of infection of other organs in the abdomen or pelvis or in other areas of the body

MRI

According to distinguish ovarian tumors from other diseases in the abdomen and pelvis.

Laparoscopy

Diagnosis is certain to be met through laparoscopy. Where the surgeon explores the abdominal cavity directly, then take samples or biopsies of the tumor to be analyzed under a microscope, where they can find out if the tumor is benign or malignant.

During the survey should take advantage of all tumors and cysts the size of what counts, so take a biopsy of them for sure diagnosis

How is the diagnosis of ovarian cancer?

This is done surgically, if the tumor is malignant then the patient should undergo surgical work is a hysterectomy, fallopian tubes and ovaries. But if the tumor is benign, then it can keep the rest of the members of the body and Sufficiency to remove the cyst only

Re surgical intervention "second look"

Useful in evaluating the patient's response to treatment, which is a whole new surgical exploration of the abdominal cavity which is when patients who have completed the first phase of the treatment plan (surgery and chemotherapy).

Surgery and chemotherapy

If ovarian cancer at an early or too an early stage, there is no need for any additional treatment. However, most of the cases often requires adding chemotherapy to surgery, in addition to that. And is usually given the different chemotherapy drugs (in cycles)

Radiotherapy

The importance of radiotherapy after surgery is still controversial. We can say, as a general rule, that radiotherapy in the early stages of ovarian cancer (least aggressive) rarely is indicated

How is the treatment of ovarian cancer?

There are many factors relied upon the decision in the pattern of treatment of ovarian cancer, including: the age of the patient, the tumor along ....... etc.

What is the prognosis of ovarian cancer?

Cure rates of ovarian cancer depends on several factors, depending on:

• extent of cancer
• your state (more or less advanced)
• Microscopic rate (more or less aggressive depending on the different types)
• The patient's age and general health

Annual mortality from ovarian cancer is about 65%

If the cancer is diagnosed in the initial stages, the survival within five years of diagnosis of the tumor, ranging from 50-70%.