news for health

Ovarian cancer is historically called 'silent killer'. The reason for its being silent killer is that the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer do not show up in its early stages. Even the diagnosis generally occurs at an advanced stage of the disease. For diagnosis also, surgery is the only reliable means to establish whether a woman suffers from ovarian cancer or not! As far as treatment of ovarian cancer is concerned, it is also done through surgery at all its stages along with some other cancer specific therapies. Here we will discuss the elaborate methods of diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. To know the causes, signs, symptoms, stages and other information about ovarian cancer, read Ovarian Cancer FAQ

Due to involement of genetic factors in causing ovarian cancer, personal and family medical history is the first thing which is evalated by gynaecological oncologist to detect ovarian cancer. Many other medical investigations and examinations are also needed to diagnose ovarian cancer.

Pelvic examination: For this, doctor needs to inspect the external parts of the genitals. Doctor also needs to see and feel the uterus and ovaries through medical procedures including insertion of device like speculum or even a gloved hand into vagina and pressing the abdomen.

Ultrasound: Through an ultrasound test, doctor may want to know about the size, shape and configuration of the abnormal growths inside the ovary. A transvaginal ultrasound may also be done by inserting an ultrasound probe into the vagina.

CA 125 Blood Test: Cancer Antigen 125 or Carbohydrate Antigen 125 (CA 125) is a protein found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells and also in some healthy tissues. Mostly, women with ovarian cancer have abnormally high levels of CA 125 in blood. However, many women with early stage of ovarian cancer may have normal levels of CA 125 and also many conditions other than ovariancancer can also lead to high CA 125 levels. Therefor, CA 125 blood test is usually not used for screening or diagnosing ovarian cancer but to monitor the response to the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Surgery: If the above tests and examinations indicate towards the possibility of ovarian cancer, surgery is the only way to confirm the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. During the surgery, the surgeon may collect samples of abdominal fluid and remove an ovary for pathological examination. If cancer is discovered, the surgeon generally immediately begin the surgery to remove as much of the cancer as is possible.

Surgery may be the only treatment for early stage cancer. For advanced stages of ovarian cancer, treatment options may include surgery along with chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

The surgery done for treating ovarian cancer involves the following:

A large number of women world over die every year due to ovarian cancer. Our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and very other woman is at a risk for ovarian cancer which often doesn't show any signs and symptoms in its early stages. However, awareness about the early signs of ovarian cancer and a little carefulness about detecting anything that doesn't look or feel normal might save a woman from being a victim of this silent killer called ovarian cancer. These Ovarian Cancer FAQs are an attempt to spread awareness about ovarian cancer in simplest terms so that each woman on this earth can fight off this disease possibly at an early stage to get a fair chance of survival.

Ovarian cancer is a condition when the normal cells in a woman's ovary change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. Ovaries are the reproductive organs of women where eggs develop for reproduction.

At present, it is quite difficult to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages as there are very few symptoms and signs and also because there is no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. Often, there are no symptoms of ovarian cancer is shown in its early stages and when signs of ovarian cancer start showing up, they are vague and can be easily mistaken for other common ailments. However, three leading international cancer organizations have issued a joint statement according to which the following ovarian cancer symptoms and signs are more likely to occur in women suffering from this cancer.

Other symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

Women who experience these symptoms almost daily for more than few weeks and don't go away, must see a doctor, preferably a gynaecologist.

In most of the cases, the cuases leading to ovarian cancer remain undisclosed. However, the answer to the question - what causes cancer of ovaries - is sought by everyone. A person can develop ovarian cancer due to several factors.

Causes of ovarian cancer can be understood more clearly by knowing about the high risk group and low risk group for ovarian cancer.

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms and Signs

The highest risk of ovarian cancer is faced by women who are in the age group of 60 -70 years old women. Women who don't give birth to children are also at high risk of ovarian cancer. Women with a condition known as endometriosis, and those who receive postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy are also at increased risk for ovarian cancer.

Women who give birth to children earlier in life are at low risk for ovarian cancer. Also more the children, less the risk for developing ovarian cancer. Breast feeding may also reduce the risk of certain types of ovarian cancer. Use of low dose hormonal contraception gives a protective cover against ovarian cancer. The risk also gets lower in women who have had their fallopian tubes blocked surgically.

'Stages of Cancer' is a term used to describe the size of the cancer and the extent of its spread. Knowing the stage of cancer helps doctors in deciding the adequate and the best treatment for ovarian cancer or any other cancer. International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) groups ovarian cancer into four stages. Generally, without laparotomy (an operation in which abdomen is opened up) ovarian cancer can not be staged. So, the stages of ovarian cancer are dtermined surgically. The table below gives information about the four stages of ovarian cancer.

As genetic factors cause a great numbers of ovarian cancer, personal and family medical history is closely evaluated by a gynaecological oncologist to detect if a woman suffers from ovarian cancer or not. In addition to this, many other medical investigations and examinations may be needed to diagnose ovarian cancer. These may include pelvic examination, ultrasound, CA 125 blood test, and surgery.

Ovarian cancer treatment of all stages is done through surgery. Surgery may be the only treatment for early stage cancer. Ovarian cancer treatment options for other advanced stages may include surgery; chemotherapy; and targeted therapy.

For detailed information about diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer, read Ovarian Cancer- Diagnosis and Treatment