Quick overview of ovarian cancer symptoms
In the initial stages of ovarian cancer, there may be no apparent symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they are often mistaken for other, more common conditions.
Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
- Abdominal bloating or swelling.
- Rapidly becoming satisfied during a meal.
- Weight loss
- Discomfort in the pelvic region
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Changes in bowel habits, like constipation,
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Vaginal discharge or unusual bleeding, especially if it happens outside your normal menstrual cycle or after menopause.
- Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation.
- An enlargement of your abdomen.
If you observe any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult your doctor immediately.
What is ovarian cancer exactly?
Ovarian cancer happens when abnormal cells in the ovaries or fallopian tubes grow and multiply uncontrollably. It involves the formation of a mass of cells in the ovaries. These cells divide rapidly and can invade and harm nearby healthy tissue.
Ovaries are components of the female reproductive system, consisting of two walnut-sized organs that produce eggs during reproductive years. Each of these almond-sized organs, located on either side of the uterus, produces eggs (ova) and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Treatment for ovarian cancer typically includes surgery and chemotherapy.
What are the underlying causes of ovarian cancer?
The exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown. Nonetheless, certain individuals have a marginally higher risk of developing it.
Risk factors for ovarian cancer include:
- As you age: the risk of ovarian cancer increases, and it is most often diagnosed in older adults.
- Inherited gene mutations: can cause a small percentage of ovarian cancers. The primary genes linked to increased risk are BRCA1 and BRCA2, which also elevate breast cancer risk. Other gene alterations, such as those related to Lynch syndrome and the genes BRIP1, RAD51C, and RAD51D, are also known to raise the likelihood of ovarian cancer.
- Family history: of ovarian cancer: If you have blood relatives diagnosed with this disease, your risk of developing ovarian cancer may be increased.
- Being obese or overweight: increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
- Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy: involves using hormones to treat menopause symptoms, but it may elevate the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Endometriosis: is a frequent, painful disorder characterized by tissue resembling the uterine lining growing outside the uterus.
- Menopause: The age when menstruation starts and ends can influence risk; early onset or late menopause may heighten the likelihood of ovarian cancer.
- Never having been pregnant: could raise your risk of ovarian cancer.
How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
Tests and procedures employed for diagnosing ovarian cancer include:
- Pelvic Exam: During a pelvic exam, your doctor inserts gloved fingers into your vagina and presses a hand on your abdomen to feel your pelvic organs. They also visually examine your external genitalia, vagina, and cervix.
- Imaging tests: such as ultrasound or CT scans of your abdomen and pelvis can help assess the size, shape, and structure of your ovaries.
- Blood tests: may involve checking organ functions to assess your overall health.
Your doctor may also test your blood for tumor markers indicative of ovarian cancer. For example, a cancer antigen (CA) 125 test detects a protein often found on ovarian cancer cells’ surfaces. While these tests cannot definitively confirm cancer, they provide valuable clues about your diagnosis and prognosis.
Once it is confirmed that you have ovarian cancer, your doctor will use information from your tests and procedures to assign your cancer a stage. The stages of ovarian cancer range from 1 to 4, which are often indicated with Roman numerals I to IV. The lowest stage suggests that the cancer is confined to the ovaries. By stage 4, the cancer has spread to distant areas of the body.
What are the treatment options for ovarian cancer?
The goal of cancer treatment is to eliminate as much cancer as possible from your body. Common ovarian cancer treatments include:
- Surgery: usually entails removing your reproductive organs and any other affected areas. The procedure may be done via laparoscopy, a minimally invasive method, or through laparotomy, which involves a larger abdominal incision.
- Chemotherapy: Your doctor might suggest using chemotherapy either before or after surgery. This treatment involves medications that destroy cancer cells. These drugs can be given through a vein (intravenously) or taken as pills (orally).
- Targeted therapy: is a form of cancer treatment that employs drugs to identify and destroy cancer cells, thereby changing the way these cells grow and divide.
- Hormone therapy: involves blocking hormones that certain ovarian cancers depend on to grow. This approach helps slow or stop the cancer’s development.
- Providers rarely use radiation therapy: to treat ovarian cancer.
After finishing ovarian cancer treatment, your healthcare provider will schedule regular follow-up visits. These appointments help monitor your health and check for potential recurrence of the cancer. During these visits, your provider may ask about any symptoms you have and perform a physical exam. Pay attention to any symptoms you notice and inform your provider. Occasionally, they may also order imaging tests, such as a CT scan.
What steps can you take to prevent ovarian cancer?
Although no method can guarantee the prevention of ovarian cancer, certain strategies might help reduce your risk.
Consider using birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about whether hormonal contraceptives might be suitable for you. Taking birth control pills can lower the risk of ovarian cancer. However, these medications carry risks, so review with your doctor whether the benefits outweigh the potential risks based on your personal situation.
Talk with your doctor about your risk factors, especially if breast or ovarian cancers run in your family. They can assess how this influences your individual risk and may refer you to a genetic counselor for further evaluation. If a genetic change associated with higher ovarian cancer risk is identified, removing your ovaries through surgery might be a way to lower that risk.
Living with ovarian cancer
If you observe signs of ovarian cancer, such as unusual lumps, pain, or bloating in your abdomen, it’s crucial to see a healthcare professional. Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, regardless of the type. If you or someone dear to you has ovarian cancer, feelings of sadness, frustration, or hopelessness are common. Your doctor can offer support during this challenging period. Inquire about available resources or support groups, whether local or online. Connecting with others who have similar experiences can help you cope with the emotional difficulties that often come with a cancer diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information should I ask my doctor?
If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, consider asking your doctor questions such as: Where is the tumor located? Has the cancer spread? If so, to what extent? What treatment options do you suggest? How long is the treatment likely to last? Will I be able to continue working during treatment? Are there ovarian cancer resources accessible to me?
What is the survival rate for ovarian cancer?
The five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is 49%, meaning approximately half of those diagnosed are alive five years afterward. Keep in mind that survival rates are estimates and don’t predict individual outcomes or treatment success. For any specific questions about ovarian cancer survival rates, consult your doctor.
How does ovarian cancer metastasize?
If ovarian cancer spreads, it usually extends from your pelvis to your lymph nodes, abdomen, intestines, stomach, chest, or liver.
Do symptoms of ovarian cancer appear suddenly?
Ovarian cancer was traditionally considered ‘silent” until it advanced. However, recent research indicates that early-stage ovarian cancer may cause noticeable symptoms, like abdominal pain and bloating, which can sometimes emerge suddenly.
Is there a connection between breast cancer and ovarian cancer?
The ovaries and breasts are linked through genetics. Notably, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can raise the risk of both breast and ovarian cancers. As a result, genetic testing and counseling may be recommended for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer to assess their breast cancer risk. Conversely, women with breast cancer and a family history of breast or ovarian cancer might also consider genetic testing and counseling to evaluate their ovarian cancer risk.
