Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a cancer that grows on the ovaries or ovaries. This disease occupies the seventh position among the most common types of cancer affecting women. Each year, there are about 250,000 cases of ovarian cancer worldwide, which causes 140,000 deaths per year.
This cancer can appear in any age group, but generally occurs in women who have entered menopause or aged over 50 years.
Types of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is classified into 3 types, based on the initial location of cancer progression.
Epithelial tumors, cancer cells appear on the tissue of the ovaries. This is the most common type of ovarian cancer.
Stromal tumors, cancer appears in the layer where the cells are located hormone-producing. This type of cancer is rare. Only about 7 out of 100 cases of ovarian cancer are of this type.
Germ cell tumor, cancer develops in egg-producing cells. This type of ovarian cancer tends to occur in young women.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer rarely presents symptoms in the early stages. If any, the symptoms resemble constipation or symptoms of irritable bowel. Therefore, ovarian cancer is usually only detected when the cancer has spread in the body.
Some of the symptoms commonly experienced by people with ovarian cancer are:
The stomach always feels bloated.
Swelling of the abdomen.
Stomach ache.
Weight loss.
Get full fast.
Nausea.
Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation (difficult bowel movements).
Increased frequency of urination.
Pain during intercourse.
Causes and Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer Like cancer in general, the cause of ovarian cancer is also not known for certain. There are several factors that allegedly can increase a woman's risk for this cancer. These factors include:
Age. Ovarian cancer tends to occur in women aged 50 years and over.
Genetic. The risk for ovarian cancer will increase if you have family members with ovarian cancer or breast cancer.
Similarly, in women who have BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are inherited genetic mutations.
Estrogen hormone replacement therapy (Esterogen Hormone Replacement Therapy), especially when done in the long term and with high doses.
Suffered from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Never get pregnant.
Being overweight or obese.
Experiencing the menstrual cycle before the age of 12 years and menopause after the age of 50 years.
Underwent fertility therapy.
Smoke.
Using IUD contraceptives.
Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer
The initial diagnosis is made based on the symptoms experienced, family health history, and physical examination results. Subsequent investigations are performed to confirm the diagnosis, including ultrasound, blood tests, or biopsy.
Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) performed to examine the lower abdomen as well as reproductive organs. In this examination can be known form, size, and structure of the ovary.
Blood tests performed to detect the presence of CA 125 protein in the blood. High levels of CA 125 may indicate ovarian cancer. But this test can not be a single benchmark because CA 125 is not a specific test, it may increase in other non-cancerous conditions, and not all ovarian cancer patients have elevated levels of CA 125 in the blood.
Stage of Ovarian Cancer
If the examination results show a person is suffering from ovarian cancer, the next step that should be done is to determine the extent of cancer spread. In determining the rate of spread of ovarian cancer, the examination can be done with a CT or MRI scan, chest x-rays, as well as examination of fluid samples of abdominal cavity and ovarian tissue.
Knowing the extent of cancer spread will help doctors to determine the best treatment steps.
In general, the rate of spread of ovarian cancer is divided into four stages, namely:
Stage 1: Cancer only attacks one or both ovaries, but has not spread to other organs.
Stage 2: The cancer has spread from the ovary to the tissues around the pelvis or uterus.
Stage 3: The cancer has spread to the stomach lining, intestinal surface, and lymph nodes in the pelvis or stomach.
Stage 4: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs.