Ovarian Cancer

• February 18, 2022
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Ovarian Cancer

Cancer of the Ovary, fallopian tubes, and peritoneum are grouped under ovarian cancer Carcinoma ovary is a common cause of cancer death in women worldwide. There is various type of ovarian cancer, it can occur at any age. In perimenopausal and postmenopausal ladies epithelial ovarian cancer is common while in young girls germ cell tumor of the ovary is more common.

Symptoms: In the early stages there are usually no symptoms or very vague complaints like abdominal fullness, heaviness, bloating after eating food, or loss of appetite. In the late stages, there may be abdominal distension or urinary complaints, or altered bowel habits. Sometimes the ovarian tumor is an accidental finding on ultrasound.

Risk Factors: Females with a family history of ovarian and breast cancer are at risk of having some genetic mutations BRCA1and BRCA2 are responsible for this cancer, Females with early menarche, late menopause, unmarried women, women with no child, late childbirth with multiple treatments of infertility with ovulation induction drugs are at risk.

Protection: Use of oral contraceptives for 5 years reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by 50%, first pregnancy 25 years of age, breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. Reason for delayed diagnosis: As symptoms are vague and usually diagnosed in an advanced stage, regular screening with annual ultrasound abdomen after the age of 40 in the general population and 10 years before the age of the patient in the family in cases of family history of breast or ovary cancer or patient who is BRCA gene mutation-positive, helps in early detection of ovarian cancer.

Test: There is no single specific test to screen ovarian cancer. Diagnosis is done by examination, Ultrasound, Tumor markers- CA 125, Alpha FP, Beta HCG, HE4 CT scan/ MRI, PET-CT

Treatment: Staging is done by surgery, Staging laparotomy + removal of ovarian mass + total hysterectomy + B/L salpingo-oophorectomy + total omentectomy+ pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy + cytoreduction, Treatment of cancer ovary involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Depending on the stage of the disease, their sequence is decided.
In the early stage, surgery is done, which may be followed by chemotherapy. In the advanced stage, both methods are used, depending on the general condition of the patient to tolerate the treatment. Every cancer needs follow-up because there is always a chance of recurrence even after the completion of the treatment. Regular follow-up helps in detecting recurrence early.
So all patient needs regular checkups once every three months for 2 years, once in every 6 months after 2 years till 5 years, and then annually for life long.