Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the female gonads, the ovaries, which produce eggs (ova) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone needed by the female body. Ovarian cancer presents as epithelial ovarian cancer, stromal tumors, and germ cell tumors. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is difficult to detect early, because many individuals remain asymptomatic for years, and early symptoms, when they do appear, are mild and easily confused with less serious conditions. For these reasons, only about 20% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage, which means treatment typically occurs during late stage ovarian cancer, when positive outcomes are most challenging to obtain.
Ovarian Cancer Types
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
The most common form of ovarian cancer, accounting for about 90% of all ovarian cancer cases, epithelial ovarian cancer has several subtypes, including serous carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, endometrioid carcinoma, and clear cell carcinoma.
Stromal Tumors
These tumors occur in the connective tissue cells of the ovaries, specifically the stromal and sex cord cells, and account for about 1% of all ovarian cancers. Granulosa cell tumors are the most common form of stromal tumors.
Germ Cell Tumors
These tumors develop from the reproductive germ cells in the ovaries, before they mature into eggs. Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (OGCTs) include immature teratomas, yolk sac tumors, choriocarcinomas, and dysgerminomas. Malignant OGCTs account for about 2–3% of all ovarian cancers.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
- Abdominal swelling or bloating
- Feeling full quickly after eating
- Weight loss
- Pelvic discomfort
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Bowel movement changes like constipation
- Frequent urination
Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors
The cause of ovarian cancer is not known, but there are several known risk factors, including the following.
- Older age
- Family history of ovarian cancer
- Being overweight or obese
- Inherited gene changes (including BRCA1 and BRCA2, which also increase breast cancer risk)
- Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy
- Endometriosis
- Early age menstruation
- Late age menopause
- No history of pregnancies
Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
Ovarian cancer diagnosis begins with a pelvic exam, followed by imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scans of the abdomen. Blood tests can help reveal organ dysfunction potentially related to ovarian cancer, and cancer antigen CA 125 tests can detect a protein often found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells. Genetic tests can reveal gene changes that can increase ovarian cancer risk, and sometimes surgery will include testing of removed ovarian tissue for cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Ovarian cancer treatment typically includes both surgery and chemotherapy. One or both ovaries may be removed, along with the fallopian tube(s). Women can still get pregnant with one ovary; if both are removed, freezing eggs or embryos and later implanting in the uterus can be an option for those wanting to conceive after treatment. Sometimes more advanced surgery may be required, including removing both ovaries and fallopian tubes, the uterus, nearby lymph nodes, and the omentum, a nearby fold of fatty abdominal tissue. Chemotherapy is given before and/or after surgery, and sometimes it is actually infused into the abdomen during ovarian cancer surgery (called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). Other ovarian cancer treatments include targeted drug therapies, hormone therapy to block the effects of estrogen in growing ovarian cancer cells (typically used for slow-growing ovarian cancers), immunotherapy to expose the cancer cells to the body's immune system for destruction, and palliative care to relieve pain and improve quality of life.
Ovarian Cancer Prognosis
The prognosis for ovarian cancer depends strongly on the stage in which it is treated. Stage I ovarian cancer has up to a 95% survival rate, Stage II up to 70%, Stage III up to 40%, while Stage IV cures are rare (but long-term control is improving). Diagnoses of ovarian cancer are approximately 15% at Stage I, 21% at Stage II, 85% at Stage III, and 6% at Stage IV. Owing to the nature of the disease, later stage cancers are more likely to be diagnosed, which affects individual prognosis, making it all the more important that patients find the best gynecologic oncologists they can for their ovarian cancer treatment.
Why Choose UsTrusted Providers of Gynecologic Oncology in the Phoenix, AZ Metro Area
Women's Cancer Institute of Arizona offers top quality gynecologic oncology treatments in the metro Phoenix area. Our gynecologic oncology specialists offer the latest and most effective ovarian cancer treatments, ensuring that every patient has the best chance for recovery and a high quality of life after ovarian cancer.