Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries, which are reproductive glands in a woman’s pelvis that produce eggs.
This form of cancer often goes undetected until later stages since early symptoms can be vague.
However, as awareness and understanding of ovarian cancer improves, more cases are caught early for better prognosis.
Recognizing Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Some early warning signs of ovarian cancer include:
- Bloating or increased abdominal size
- Feeling full quickly when eating
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Pelvic discomfort or pain
These symptoms arise as tumors grow in the ovaries and push against other organs.
Unfortunately, they mirror common digestive issues making ovarian cancer hard to suspect initially.
Around 20% of ovarian cancers get caught early at stage 1 before significant spreading.
When diagnosed in late stage 3 or 4, the 5-year survival rate drops from 90% to 30%.
This demonstrates the importance of paying attention to persistent symptoms.
What Puts a Woman at Risk for Ovarian Cancer?
Several factors increase ovarian cancer likelihood:
- Family history – gene mutations like BRCA1/BRCA2
- Personal history – previous breast, uterine or colon cancer
- Age – most cases occur after menopause
- Obesity
- No pregnancies
- Fertility treatment use
These reflect opportunities for closer screening and monitoring although most cases arise spontaneously without known predictors.
Tests Doctors Use to Diagnose Ovarian Cancer
If symptoms and risk factors align, tests confirming ovarian cancer include:
- Physical exam – enlarged/irregular ovaries
- Ultrasound – ovarian mass visibility
- Blood tests – high CA-125 levels
- Surgery – tissue sampling from ovaries
Once ovarian cancer receives an official diagnosis, doctors determine the stage by assessing spreading extent.
Common areas for metastases include the lining of the abdomen, lymph nodes, lungs or liver.
Ovarian Cancer Treatments By Stage
Standard approaches doctors use for ovarian cancer by stage include:
Stage 1
- Surgery – ovary removal, lymph node extraction
- Chemotherapy – often just one round of carboplatin + paclitaxel
Stage 2 or 3
- Debulking surgery – removing tumors/affected areas
- Chemotherapy – carboplatin + paclitaxel every 3 weeks, up to 6 cycles
Stage 4 / Recurrent
- Chemotherapy – expanding regimen diversity, dosages, cycles
- Targeted therapy – bevacizumab, PARP inhibitors
- Radiation – easing symptoms from widespread metastases
- Hormone therapy – tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors
- Clinical trials – experimental medications showing promise
Prognosis drops later on, but remission remains possible.
Ongoing checkups monitor cancer return potential following treatment.
Reducing Ovarian Cancer Risk Through Prevention
Despite many cases occurring unpredictably, these evidence-backed steps may lower risk:
- Oral contraceptive use
- Breastfeeding future childrenTubal ligation or hysterectomy
- Eating lots of fruits and vegetables
- Keen awareness of family history
- Genetic counseling around genetic testing
Through awareness of early symptoms, prompt diagnosis and utilizing prevention knowledge, the odds of beating ovarian cancer improve significantly.