Know About Ovarian Cancer, its Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Mumbai
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer the occurs in the ovaries – the small organ that gives eggs in the female reproductive system. It is a abnormal growth of cells that forms in the ovaries. These cells multiply quickly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissues.
Symptoms of ovarian cancerThere aren’t any noticeable symptoms when ovarian cancer first develops, they’re usually attributed to other, more common conditions.
- Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
- Causes of ovarian cancer:
- How to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer?
- Abdominal bloating or swelling Quickly feeling full when eating Weight loss Discomfort in the pelvic area Fatigue Back pain Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation A frequent need to urinate
When to see a doctor? Make an appointment with Dr. Sampada Dessai if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.
It's not clear what causes ovarian cancer, though doctors have identified things that can increase the risk of the disease.
Factors that may increase the risk of ovarian cancer:- Increasing age
- Family history
- Personal history of cancer or endometriosis
- Genetics: BRCA1 and BRCA2
- Reproductive history and infertility
- Obesity
- Hormone replacement therapy
There is no preventive measure for the disease, but you can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in many ways. All women are at risk because ovarian cancer does not strike only one ethnic or age group.
- Oral contraceptive use
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes
Tests and procedures used to diagnose ovarian cancer include:
Imaging tests. Tests, such as ultrasound or CT scans of your abdomen and pelvis, may help determine the size, shape and structure of your ovaries.
Blood tests. Blood tests might include organ function tests that can help determine your overall health.
Your doctor might also test your blood for tumor markers that indicate ovarian cancer. For example, a cancer antigen (CA) 125 test can help in detecting ovarian cancer
Biopsy. Sometimes your doctor can't be certain of your diagnosis until you undergo biopsy to remove an part of tumor tissue and get it tested.
Treatment
Surgery
The extent of surgery in ovarian cancer depend on the amount of disease that is present at time of presentation .Every effort is made to remove the entire disease from the abdomen. This surgeries at time may be extensive involving removal of multiple organs.
The extent of surgery in ovarian cancer depend on the amount of disease that is present at time of presentation .Every effort is made to remove the entire disease from the abdomen. This surgeries at time may be extensive involving removal of multiple organs.
Gynec oncologist is a superspecialised doctor who is specifically trained to treat gynec cancer.
If your cancer is advanced, and if your doctor feels it may not be possible to remove the entire disease upfront or if the patient is not fit to undergo surgery, the doctor may recommend a few cycles of chemotherapy before surgery.
Chemotherapy
Most cases except in early stage cancer require chemotherapy .Usually 6 cycles of chemotherapy are planned. Sometimes depending on the tumor characteristics and the stage maintenance targeted therapy may be planned.
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in the body, including cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be injected into a vein Chemotherapy is often used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that might remain. It can also be used before surgery. ( neoadjuvant chemotherapy)
In certain situations, chemotherapy drugs may be heated and infused into the abdomen during surgery (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy- HIPEC). The drugs are left in place for a certain amount of time before they're drained.
Targeted drug treatments focus on specific weaknesses present within cancer cells. By attacking these weaknesses, targeted drug treatments can cause cancer cells to die.
If you're considering targeted therapy for ovarian cancer, your doctor may test your cancer cells to determine which targeted therapy is most likely to have an effect on your cancer.
Hormone therapy uses drugs to block the effects of the hormone estrogen on ovarian cancer cells. Some ovarian cancer cells use estrogen to help them grow, so blocking estrogen may help control the cancer.
Hormone therapy might be a treatment option for some types of slow-growing ovarian cancers. It may also be an option if the cancer comes back after initial treatments.
Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support that complements your ongoing care. Palliative care can be used while undergoing other aggressive treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy.
When palliative care is used along with all of the other appropriate treatments, people with cancer may feel better and live longer.
Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other specially trained professionals. Palliative care teams aim to improve the quality of life for people with cancer and their families. This form of care is offered alongside curative or other treatments you may be receiving.