Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian Cancer Information, Diagnosis, Cause, Treatment

Introduction:

The growth and end of cells in human body is controlled by genetic material known as chromosomes. If the growth of cells is not controlled due to any of the factor responsible for controlling the growth, the cell will form a tumor. The tumor may or may not be malignant or cancerous in nature. The various factors responsible for uncontrolled growth of cells may be due to abnormality in chromosomes or sudden abnormality or inherited chromosomes or due to infection and other reasons.

Tumor if does not spread to the surrounding areas is known as benign tumor and is non-cancerous in nature, however the uncontrolled growth of the cells spread to the other region, and thus destroys large cells in various part of the body, such tumor is known as malignant tumor or cancer. Cancer, if begins in ovaries is known as ovaries cancer and usually occurs in woman above 50 years of age.

Ovaries:

Ovaries are one of the reproductive organs in females and are responsible for ovulation and production of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. On ovulation, eggs are released for fertilization, if not fertilized; eggs and inner linings of uterus are discharged during menstrual periods.

Risk Factors:

• Ovarian cancer is more likely to occur in Caucasian women.
• Women who have or had breast or colon cancer are at increased risk of ovarian cancer.
• Women with a family history of ovarian, colon or breast cancer are at increased risk of ovarian cancer.
• Women who have no children or use fertility drugs, hormone replacement therapy after menopause and use talc in genital area for long duration is at increased risk of ovarian cancer.
•  Women who have removed their uterus and ovaries have less, but still a small chance of ovarian cancer.

Symptoms:

• Cancer if spread outside ovaries, and especially in peritoneum area will cause severe pain in abdomen in pelvic area.
• Pains may also spread to other regions especially through nerves to the feet and leg areas.
• Sometimes fluid may accumulate in the abdomen and may cause increase in the size of abdomen and waistline.
• Common symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weight loss, fatigue, abnormal vaginal bleeding are also associated with ovarian cancer.

Diagnosis:

• A thorough physical examination and CAT scans, radiological examinations and ultrasound of abdomen are carried out and stage of ovarian cancer is estimated.
• Other complete radiological tests including MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are carried out to determine whether the cancer has been spread to other parts of the body.
• Biopsy study of tissues or fluid retained in abdomen due to ovarian cancer, is carried out by a pathologist to diagnose the nature of tissues.

Treatment:

• Surgery is almost necessary to remove the tumor, if it is malignant in nature and overall removal of tumor depends on the stage of cancer.
• The removal may be either partial removal or abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy (complete removal of female reproductive organs except vagina).
• Chemotherapy (use of medicine to kill cancer tissues) is generally recommended after surgery to prevent recurrence of the cancer.
• Chemotherapy can also be recommended some time to control tumor growth and pain relief even before surgery.
• Radiotherapy can also be used to kill cancer cells by use of high-energy rays.