What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a group of diseases that originates in the ovaries, or in the related areas of the fallopian tubes and the peritoneum. Majority of ovarian tumors are benign (noncancerous), however, malignant (cancerous) ovarian tumors can grow and spread to other parts of the body. Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen. At this late stage, ovarian cancer is more difficult to treat and is frequently fatal. Early-stage ovarian cancer, in which the disease is confined to the ovary, is more likely to be treated successfully. Ovarian cancer types include:
- Epithelial tumors begin in the thin layer of tissue that covers the outside of the ovaries.
- Stromal tumors begin in the ovarian tissue that contains hormone-producing cells. These tumors are usually diagnosed at an earlier stage than other ovarian tumors.
- Germ cell tumors begin in the egg-producing cells. These rare ovarian cancers tend to occur in younger women.
Stages of ovarian cancer include:
- Stage I. Cancer is found in one or both ovaries.
- Stage II. Cancer has spread to other parts of the pelvis.
- Stage III. Cancer has spread to the abdomen.
- Stage IV. Cancer is found outside the abdomen.
Risk factors
- Old age
- Inherited gene mutation
- Estrogen hormone replacement therapy
- Never being pregnant
- Fertility treatment
- Smoking
- Use of an intrauterine device
Diagnosis includes a medical history and physical examination, including a pelvic examination to check the vagina, rectum and lower abdomen for masses or growths. Further tests may include:
- Imaging tests, such as ultrasound or CT scans, of your abdomen and pelvis to help determine the size, shape and structure of your ovaries.
- Blood test, which can detect a protein (CA 125) found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells.
- Surgery to remove a tissue sample and abdominal fluid to confirm a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Treatment
Surgery and chemotherapy are generally used to treat ovarian cancer.
# OVARIAN CANCER BY THE NUMBERS #
- About 15% of ovarian cancers are caused by inherited mutations of the BRCA genes (BRCA 1 and BRCA 2).
- Ovarian cancer accounts for only about 3% of all cancers in women.
- Each year in the United States, about 21,000 women get ovarian cancer and about 14,000 die from it.
- Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
- About 90% of ovarian cancers are epithelial tumors.
Sources
- "Ovarian Cancer Prevention." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 12 June 2014. Web. 03 May 2017.
- "Ovarian Cancer." Ovarian Cancer | Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library. Johns Hopkins Health System, n.d. Web. 03 May 2017.
- "Ovarian Cancer - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 03 May 2017.
- "Ovarian Cancer." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 09 Feb. 2017. Web. 03 May 2017.
- "What Is Ovarian Cancer? Stages, Prognosis & More." Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic, n.d. Web. 03 May 2017.
Team healtheo360 had a great time at the TEAL (Tell Every Amazing Lady) Walk/Run in Brooklyn! This event celebrates the courage of ovarian cancer survivors and the strength of everyone who has been affected by the disease, while spreading awareness to the public and raising money for research. Enjoy these highlights from the event!
