Ovarian cancer ranks as one of the most common gynecologic cancers in the world and 3rd most common type in India preceded by Breast and Cervical Cancer. The cancer develops in an ovarian tissues. Women, some transgender men, & non-binary people assigned female at birth face risks from this disease. Your risk increases with age and inherited faulty genes. Early detection boosts survival chances substantially. Knowledge about ovarian cancer's symptoms, causes, and treatment options could save lives.
Let us direct you through vital information about this serious health condition. The content covers warning signs and treatment approaches to help you or your loved ones understand this challenging diagnosis better.
The ovaries are small, almond-shaped organs that produce eggs and female hormones. These organs can develop cancer at the time cells begin to grow uncontrollably, leading to what doctors call ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer exists in multiple forms. The disease has cancers that start in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or peritoneum (the body's abdominal cavity lining). Abnormal cells can grow into nearby tissues and spread throughout your body when left undetected.
The tumour ranks as the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women worldwide. This disease is challenging because patients often diagnosed in advanced stages, which makes treatment harder.
Different types of ovarian cancer start from various cells:
- Epithelial ovarian cancer: The most common type (90% of cases) starts in the ovaries' covering cells. This type has fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer
- Germ cell tumours: These begin in egg-developing cells
- Sex cord stromal tumours: These originate in hormone-producing cells, and granulosa cell tumours appear most frequently
- Borderline ovarian tumours: These form from abnormal but non-cancerous cells in the ovary's covering tissue
Doctors classify ovarian cancer into four stages at the time of diagnosis based on its spread. Stage I shows cancer only in one or both ovaries, while Stage IV means it has reached distant organs like your liver or lungs.
Causes of Ovarian Cancer
Scientists can help you understand your ovarian cancer risk by looking at various triggers. They haven't found a single cause yet. The disease seems to develop from several factors working together.
Your genes are a vital part of the story. Research shows that many women with ovarian cancer have changes in their BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. These genetic changes can make a huge difference. Women carrying a BRCA1 mutation face a 35-70% lifetime risk.
Your risk can also go up with other gene changes:
RAD51C
RAD51D
BRIP1
PALB2 variants, mainly after age 50
Lifestyle choices can affect your chances, too. Women who use oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy for over 10 years might face higher risks.
Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer
Your chances of developing ovarian cancer can increase due to various factors. These risk factors don't mean you'll definitely get the disease.
Age: The risk rises sharply after age 45, with most cases occurring then. Women 63 or older account for half of all ovarian cancers. The risk peaks after age 75.
Family medical history: A mother's or sister's ovarian cancer diagnosis can triple your risk. Gene changes cause about 5-15% of ovarian cancers. BRCA1 mutations lead to a 35-70% lifetime risk, while BRCA2 mutations result in a 10-30% risk.
Other genetic syndromes can raise your risk:
Lynch syndrome
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
MUTYH-associated polyposis
Reproductive experience: Having children before the age of 26 reduces your chances. Pregnancy after 35 or no children can increase your risk. Birth control pills provide protection, but hormone replacement therapy slightly raises the risk.
Body weight: Excess weight raises your risk of certain ovarian cancers.
Health conditions: Endometriosis slightly raises the risk for specific ovarian cancer types. Diabetes could increase your chances, too.
Environmental exposures: Smoking raises the risk of mucinous ovarian cancer. Scientists have linked asbestos exposure to ovarian cancer.
Ethnicity: Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish women face higher risks. BRCA mutations occur ten times more often in Ashkenazi Jewish populations.
Most women who get ovarian cancer aren't considered high-risk. Understanding these factors helps you make better decisions about screening and prevention.
Symptoms
Spotting ovarian cancer signs could save your life. The symptoms often mask themselves as everyday discomforts, which makes detection challenging.
Many women dismiss early warning signs as regular digestive issues or menstrual problems. This explains why doctors often diagnose the disease at advanced stages.
The symptoms start quietly and intensify over time. These signs need your attention:
Bloating that doesn't go away
Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain
Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
Urinary urgency or frequency
Fatigue
Back pain
Constipation
Menstrual changes
Most symptoms appear after the cancer has grown. You can tell the difference between harmless digestive issues and potential cancer signs by their persistence. Any symptoms that occur almost daily and last more than 2-3 weeks deserve a doctor's attention.
Note that having these symptoms doesn't mean you have cancer. Many common conditions show similar signs. But if something feels wrong, trust your instincts and see a doctor.
Diagnosis
A proper diagnosis of ovarian cancer typically starts when persistent symptoms catch your attention. No reliable screening test exists for women without symptoms, so paying attention to warning signs becomes your best defence.
Physical assessment: Your doctor will likely begin with a detailed history, general and systemic examination, followed by pelvic examination.
Your doctor might order several tests after the original assessment:
Blood tests: These evaluate your overall health and may include a CA-125 test that measures a protein commonly found on ovarian cancer cells. Some other tumor markers like CEA, CA IgG are also done. The CA-125 test isn't foolproof, though – some women with ovarian cancer show normal levels, while non-cancerous conditions like endometriosis can raise levels.
Ultrasound: This painless scan creates images of your ovaries using sound waves. The process might involve an external scan over your abdomen or a transvaginal scan where a wand-like device goes gently into your vagina for clearer pictures.
CT scans: These detailed x-ray images help doctors detect if cancer has spread beyond the ovaries.
Surgery: A definite diagnosis sometimes requires surgery. After proper diagnosis on the basis of Imaging, blood tumor markers, treatment plan is decided.
Whether surgery or CT, if it looks like confined to ovary sometimes in early stage abdomen is open man is excised, sent it for frozen section, which reports as benign or malignant condition of mass and risk of surgery will depend on frozen report.
But if it is widely opened in abdomen then chemotherapy followed by surgery is done
Doctors determine the cancer's stage (I through IV) based on its spread after diagnosis. The staging process guides treatment decisions and provides insight into your outlook.
Your doctor will likely suggest genetic testing if you're diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, even without a family history. Discovering inherited gene changes could affect your treatment path and alert family members to potential risks.
A referral for tests doesn't automatically mean you have cancer. Many women with suspicious symptoms receive good news after testing.
Treatment
A diagnosis of ovarian cancer throws you into a maze of treatment decisions. Your medical team will create a treatment plan that combines several approaches based on your specific needs.
Surgical intervention: Surgery is the cornerstone of most ovarian cancer treatments. The surgical team wants to remove as much of the tumour as possible through a procedure called "debulking." This process usually requires the removal of your uterus, both ovaries and fallopian tubes. The surgeon might need to remove parts of your omentum (fatty tissue covering abdominal organs), lymph nodes, and sometimes sections of other organs where cancer has spread.
Chemotherapy kills any remaining cancer cells after surgery. Your treatment will likely include:
Platinum-based drugs (carboplatin or cisplatin)
Taxanes (paclitaxel or docetaxel)
These medicines travel through your bloodstream or go directly into your abdomen (intraperitoneal chemotherapy). The treatment typically spans 3-6 cycles, and each cycle takes about three weeks.
Targeted therapies are a great way to get more treatment options. PARP inhibitors like olaparib, rucaparib, and niraparib work really well, especially when your cancer shows specific genetic features like BRCA mutations.
Some cancer types respond to immunotherapy drugs that help your immune system find and attack cancer cells.
Hormone therapy can also help with specific ovarian tumours that need hormones to grow.
Your doctor's plan will depend on your cancer's stage, type, and overall health. The team watches your progress and makes changes when needed. Different treatments can cause various side effects, but doctors now have many ways to help you manage them.
The cancer treatment trip isn't easy, but new medical advances keep giving us better options and improved results.
Conclusion
Ovarian cancer brings its own set of challenges, but knowledge is your strongest ally.
Early detection improves your chances of successful treatment by a lot. Watch out for symptoms that don't go away - bloating, pelvic pain, or feeling full quickly. Your body sends signals when something isn't right, so trust these warnings and get medical help right away.
Your risk assessment plays a crucial role. Your age, family history, and genetic makeup create your personal risk profile. Women with BRCA mutations have much higher chances of developing this disease, though most patients don't have clear risk factors.
Medical treatments keep getting better. Surgery and chemotherapy are the foundations of most treatment plans. Targeted therapies show promising results for specific cancer types. Your healthcare team will create a customised plan that fits your situation.
The time right after diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Support groups, counselling, and open talks with your doctors help guide you through this experience. Medical advances and early intervention have helped many women live well beyond their original diagnosis.
Your health matters most. Trust your body's signals, know your risks, and take quick action when something feels wrong. This strategy gives you the best defence against ovarian cancer's challenges.
FAQs
How quickly can ovarian cancer develop?
The rate of ovarian cancer development varies. Some types may progress slowly over the years, while others can grow rapidly within months. Regular check-ups and awareness of persistent symptoms are crucial for early detection.
What are the early warning signs of ovarian cancer?
Early symptoms of ovarian cancer can be subtle and include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly when eating, & changes in urinary habits. If these symptoms continue for more than 2-3 weeks, it's important to consult a doctor.
How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis of ovarian tumour typically involves a combination of methods, including a general systemic pelvic examination, blood tests (such as CA-125)and other tumor markers, imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scans, and sometimes diagnostic/definitive surgery for a definitive diagnosis.
Are there any dietary recommendations for those with ovarian cancer?
While there's no specific diet for ovarian cancer, it's generally advisable to avoid processed meats, sugary foods and drinks, refined grains, and trans fats. A balanced diet enriched in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is often recommended, but it's best to consult with your healthcare team for personalised advice.
