Symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatments for ovarian cancer detailed
Ovarian Cancer: An In-Depth Look
Ovarian cancer doesn't discriminate, pileashing cells uncontrollably within one or both ovaries. While all women are at risk, those aged 63 and older account for nearly half of diagnoses, as per the American Cancer Society. Over the past two decades, the occurrence of ovarian cancer has reduced by approximately 1% to 2% every year until mid-2010s, and nearly 3% annually from 2015 to 2019. Death rates from ovarian cancer have seen a decline of 2% annually during the 2000s and early 2010s, increasing to over 3% annually from 2016 to 2020.
Statistical Snapshot
With around 1 in 78 women facing the likelihood of ovarian cancer in their lifetime, the lifetime risk of dying from the disease stands at about 1 in 108, as reported by the American Cancer Society. The disease ranks as the fifth most common cause of cancer death in U.S. women, even though it's relatively rare. In 2022, the National Cancer Institute estimated approximately 19,880 new cases and 12,801 deaths from ovarian cancer.
A Closer Look at Ovarian Cancer
Dr. David Cohn, a seasoned gynecologic oncologist and interim CEO of The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, explains that the disease is often discovered late due to its insidious symptoms. "The reason many women end up dying of it is that it tends to be picked up [by doctors] later in the course of the disease rather than early," Dr. Cohn candidly states. According to him, if detected early, ovarian cancer can be highly curable.
Distinct Types of Ovarian Tumors
Three primary types of ovarian tumors exist: epithelial tumors (90% of cases), germ cell tumors, and sex cord-stromal tumors. Dr. Cohn elaborates that epithelial tumors occur on the ovary's surface, while germ cell tumors grow in the egg-producing cells and are most common in women under 30. Sex cord-stromal tumors arise from the cells that release hormones, and Dr. Cohn notes that these types are rare.
Risk Factors: What Makes You Vulnerable?
Genetic predisposition, increased ovulation, family history, and personal history all play a role in the development of ovarian cancer. Dr. Cohn highlights that women with a higher number of ovulation cycles, those who have never been pregnant, never breastfed, and haven't used birth control pills, are more likely to develop the disease. Additionally, fertility medications and certain genetic mutations such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch Syndrome can increase the risk.
Symptoms: A Warning Sign?
Many ovarian cancer patients experience no symptoms or mild ones until the disease has advanced, which explains its high mortality rate among female reproductive system cancers, according to the National Institutes of Health. Relatively nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, unexplained back pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and changes to bowel movements might hint at ovarian cancer, but these symptoms are common in various conditions.
Diagnosis and Treatment
There's no standardized screening test for ovarian cancer, and diagnosis usually involves a pelvic or abdominal exam to identify a mass or lump, followed by imaging such as ultrasound or CT scan. Indications of ovarian cancer can also be detected through a CA125 blood test, though it's not foolproof When symptoms persist and other tests are inconclusive, doctors may opt for a laparotomy, a surgical procedure to remove a tissue mass for examination.
Standard treatments for ovarian cancer encompass surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Novel treatments under investigation include new chemotherapy drugs, vaccines, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. Given the complexity and severity of ovarian cancer, specialized care from gynecologic oncologists is highly recommended.
Although various treatments are available, they come with potential adverse effects. For instance, bevacizumab can cause gastrointestinal perforation, a serious medical condition involving the development of a hole in the digestive tract. Chemotherapy may also result in side effects such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, making it difficult for patients to complete treatment.
High-Risk Women and Prevention
Women who have a family history of ovarian cancer are at higher risk, and prophylactic oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries) may be considered under certain circumstances to help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
Additional Resources
Understanding more about ovarian cancer and finding support can be found at the American Cancer Society. For further resources and news on ovarian cancer, visit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition or the National Cancer Institute.
Enrichment Data
Genetic factors such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch Syndrome significantly increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Certain lifestyle factors like never being pregnant, using hormone replacement therapy for extended periods, obesity, and tall height can also contribute to an elevated risk. Endometriosis and the use of certain fertility medications may also be associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Protective factors such as multiple pregnancies can help to reduce the risk by decreasing the number of ovulation cycles.
Women with a high number of ovulation cycles, genetic predispositions such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch Syndrome, a family history of ovarian cancer, or the use of certain fertility medications may be at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, a medical-conditions that can have devastating effects on health-and-wellness. While ovarian cancer can be detected and treated, it often goes undetected due to its insidious symptoms, which is a significant concern in the medical field, especially in light of the disease's link to numerous risk factors.
