Ovarian Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Ovarian Cancer, being the third most common cancer in women, typically accounts for 6.7% of observed cancer incidences in India. Ovarian cancer is a sobering reminder of the silent threats that can exist within an intricate tapestry of women's health. It is a silent but deadly disease that frequently goes undetected until it reaches advanced stages, making treatment and survival extremely difficult.

Here’s our guide to ovarian cancer, which includes information on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options of ovarian cancer.

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumour that develops in the ovaries, the organs that produce eggs in females. The female reproductive system consists of two ovaries, one on either side of the uterus, (which are about the size of an almond) that produce eggs and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. In the early stages, ovarian cancer has usually no symptoms, but a person may experience lower abdominal pain or pressure, as well as vaginal bleeding.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:

The symptoms of ovarian cancer can vary from person to person. However, it may develop and spread throughout the abdomen before noticing any symptoms, which makes early detection very difficult. Ovarian cancer symptoms can include:

• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Pelvic pain or discomfort
• Difficulty eating
• Frequent or urgent urination
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Vaginal discharge
• Menstrual irregularities

If you are worried about any of these signs or symptoms, it is vital that you immediately schedule an online consultation with either an oncologist, or a gynaecologist, have all your queries sorted out, and get proper guidance regarding ovarian cancer.

Causes of Ovarian Cancer:

It is uncertain what causes ovarian cancer, but researchers have identified factors that may enhance the risk of the disease. Doctors acknowledge that ovarian cancer develops when cells in or near the ovaries undergo DNA changes (mutations). A cell's DNA contains instructions that teach the cells what to do. The changes cause the cells to grow and multiply rapidly, forming a mass (tumour) of cancer cells. Cancer cells continue to live while healthy cells die, invading neighbouring tissues and breaking off from the original tumour, allowing it to spread to other parts of the body.

However, there are a few risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer, which includes:

Age: Ovarian cancer is more common in women over the age of 50.

Family history: Women with a family history of breast, colorectal, or ovarian cancer have an increased risk of the disease.

Endometriosis: Women with endometriosis (a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus) have a higher risk of certain types of ovarian cancer.

Obesity: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Never been pregnant: If you have never been pregnant, you may be at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer:

Diagnosing ovarian cancer might be challenging due to unclear symptoms and limited screening methods. Healthcare providers may use a variety of diagnostic tools to assess suspicious symptoms, including:

Pelvic examination: A physical exam to look for abnormalities in the ovaries or pelvis.

Imaging tests: Ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI scans can help discover the ovaries and detect abnormalities.

Blood tests: The CA-125 blood test examines a protein that is frequently high in women with ovarian cancer, although it is not conclusive on its own.

Biopsy: A tissue sample can be taken through surgery or minimally invasive techniques and examined under a microscope.

Treatment of Ovarian Cancer:

The goal of cancer treatment is to remove as much of the cancer cells as possible from your body. The most common treatments for ovarian cancer are:

Surgery: This often includes the removal of your reproductive organs as well as any organs that have cancer. Your surgeon may perform laparoscopy (minimally invasive surgery) or laparotomy (open surgery with an abdominal incision).

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be recommended either before or after surgery. Chemotherapy medications are intended to target and kill malignant cells.

Targeted Therapy: Targeted drugs are prescribed to specifically target cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

Hormonal Therapy: Some ovarian tumours use hormones to grow. This sort of therapy inhibits cancer growth by blocking hormones.

Radiation Therapy: In some cases, radiation therapy may be used to target and kill cancer cells.

The Ovarian Cancer Statistics:

• Among the world's population, India has the second largest estimated incidence of ovarian cancer, after China. India accounts for 76.5% of the incidence and 77.5% of the mortality of ovarian cancer patients among the south-central Asian countries.
• Among gynaecologic cancers, ovarian cancer has the worst prognosis, with roughly 3,14,000 new cases and 2,07,000 deaths each year.
• According to the WHO classification, 90% of ovarian tumours develop from the epithelium, 3% from germ cells, and 2% from sex-cord stromal.
• Cases are typically discovered in the late stages III and IV, when the tumour has spread beyond the abdomen. The diagnosis is mostly based on imaging techniques, CA-125 blood tests, and surgical specimens, and is associated with a poor prognosis. In India, Ovarian cancer patients had a 5-year survival rate of approximately 45%.

 
Ovarian cancer poses significant obstacles, but early identification and treatment improvements have led to improved prognosis for many patients. Let us continue to raise awareness by promoting routine screenings, genetic testing, and proactive healthcare practices.

Reference:

1. Frontiersin - Analysis of the Indian Ovarian Cancer Cohort

https://rb.gy/c683et

2. Cleveland Clinic - Ovarian Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4447-ovarian-cancer