General Health ArticlesOvarian cancer risks

Ovarian cancer risks

Ovarian cancer risks

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women and the fourth leading cause of death.

The tumor in the ovary can be divided into two types: benign tumors, which do not spread and can be easily treated with surgery, and malignant tumors, which may spread to other organs and become dangerous if not diagnosed early.

The types of ovarian cancer include:

Epithelial Tumor: a type of tumor that arises from the surface cells of the ovary, and is the most common type of ovarian cancer.

Germ Cell Tumor: a cancer that arises from the cells that produce eggs.

Stromal Tumor: a tumor that arises from the connective tissue cells of the ovary, which produce sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

The causes of ovarian cancer are not fully understood. However, it is more common in women who have never had children and tends to occur more frequently in women over the age of 40. Certain risk factors that may increase a woman's chance of developing ovarian cancer include genetics, family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer, and personal history of certain cancers or certain genetic mutations. If you have a family history of ovarian cancer, it's important to talk to a healthcare professional about your risk and whether genetic testing is appropriate.

Genetic factors that may increase the risk of ovarian cancer include:

Having two or more close relatives (such as a mother or sister) with ovarian cancer.
Having one close relative with ovarian cancer and another with breast cancer, both of which occurred before age 50.
Having two or more close relatives with either ovarian or breast cancer, both of which occurred before age 60.
Having a family history of both ovarian and colon cancer, or having three or more relatives with colon cancer.

As one ages, the risk of developing cancer increases, particularly for those over 40 years of age.

Women who have a menstrual cycle onset before the age of 12 and experience menopause after the age of 50 are at higher risk of developing cancer.

Not having children increases the risk of cancer more than having children. Those who have had breast or colon cancer are also at risk of developing cancer.

Stimulating egg release for more than 12 consecutive months, in the case of IVF, increases the risk of disease.

Studies have shown that using powder in the genital area for a long period of time increases the risk of ovarian cancer, although old powders may be contaminated.

If you have a history of any of the above, consult a doctor for screening. Some people who are at risk of developing ovarian cancer may want to consider removing their ovaries, but they should consult a doctor to consider the benefits and risks of surgery.

Early ovarian cancer detection:

All types of cancer can be effectively treated when detected early. This also applies to ovarian cancer, which is often diagnosed later due to its location in the abdominal cavity and its lack of early symptoms. Only 25% of patients are diagnosed with ovarian cancer before it spreads, so early detection significantly increases the chance of a complete recovery.

The following are ways to detect cancer early:

Regular screening, such as Pap tests, can detect cervical cancer, but cannot detect ovarian cancer in its early stages. Ovarian cancer is usually found in the late stages of the disease, so regular screening is necessary. It is recommended to begin screening at age 18 or older.

It is important to see a doctor when experiencing symptoms such as abdominal swelling, bloating, abnormal vaginal bleeding, small amounts of discomfort in the back, legs, or abdomen without a clear cause.

Specialized tests such as blood tests for CA-125 and ultrasound examinations through the vaginal canal can help detect ovarian cancer earlier. However, both tests are not recommended for general screening as they may not be accurate.

An ultrasound examination through the vaginal canal is a non-invasive procedure using high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the ovaries. This test does not cause pain.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:

Ovarian cancer in its early stages often has no symptoms, but symptoms may appear in the later stages of the disease, including:

Abdominal discomfort or bloating (some may suspect gas in the stomach)
Nausea, constipation, frequent urination
Loss of appetite
Feeling of fullness after eating
Unexplained weight gain
Vaginal bleeding

Treatment:

The treatment of ovarian cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the overall condition of the patient. Treatment involves several medical departments, such as obstetrics and gynecology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology.

Surgical Treatment and Reasons for Surgery:

Surgery may be necessary if there is suspicion of ovarian cancer.

The reasons for surgery include:

Surgery to diagnose the disease, where the doctor will cut into the affected tissue and take a sample for testing.
Surgery to determine the extent of the disease, where the doctor will cut into the affected area and assess the spread of the cancer and remove the yellow ligament.
Surgery for treatment, where the doctor will remove the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and yellow ligament, which is called a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The doctor will also take a sample of the yellow ligament and fluid from the abdomen for testing. During surgery, if the cancer is found to have spread, the doctor will remove as much of the affected tissue as possible for effective treatment with radiation or chemotherapy.

The adverse effects of using surgery as treatment:

Surgical intervention in the early stages may result in some pain, which can be relieved by painkillers. However, in the subsequent stages, removal of the ovary can result in the inability to produce sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone), leading to vaginal dryness and hot flashes, similar to those experienced by menopausal women.

Chemotherapy is the administration of drugs to destroy cancer cells, which can also affect normal cells in the body. There are two types of chemotherapy:

Adjuvant Chemotherapy, which is administered after surgery, involves 4-6 cycles over a period of 3-6 months. This is recommended when the doctor believes that not all cancerous tissue has been removed during surgery or when surgery is difficult.

Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy is administered before surgery, and is recommended when the cancerous lump is too large to be easily removed during surgery. The aim is to reduce the size of the lump to make it easier to remove.

Chemotherapy can be given orally or through injection, but injections are more common. In some cases, chemotherapy is given directly into the abdominal cavity. After administering chemotherapy, doctors may perform surgery to assess the extent of destruction of cancerous cells. If any cancerous cells remain, the doctor may perform additional surgery to remove them.

The adverse effects of this treatment depend on the type and amount of drugs used. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hair loss.

Radiation therapy involves using radiation to destroy cancerous cells. The adverse effects include fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and difficulty urinating. There are two types of radiation therapy: