About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is more common in women above 60 years of age (post-menopausal state) than the younger population.

It is difficult to diagnose ovarian cancer at an early state. It is advisable than all females after the age of 18 must get their pelvic examined annually.

Symptoms

Lack of physical energy, frequent fatigue and pain in abdomen are common symptoms. Pain and pressure is felt in legs, back and pelvis. The abdomen feels bloated and appears swollen. If one exercises regularly still the abdomen appears outwards then it could indicate an abnormality.

Indigestion, acidity, constipation and diarrhea are common. In rare cases heavy periods, frequent periods start after menopause to suggest the cancer.

There is a great possibility that despite occurrence of all these symptoms the women is not having ovarian cancer.

Causes

Main cause of ovarian cancer is the changed lifestyle than what it was decades ago. Late or no pregnancy, early onset of menstruation, delayed menopause and never having used contraceptive pills are all major contributing factors.

Interestingly, more the number of pregnancies a woman bears lower are the risk for ovarian cancer. But the pregnancies must not be frequent.

Genes play a critical role. If the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 are inherited normally then these aid in prevention of cancer by producing anti-cancer proteins. But if a mutation is inherited on these genes then they do not provide protection. This increases the risk of ovarian cancer.

The genes were found to be more common in women with breast cancer. Women suffering from breast cancer are at a greater risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Treatment

Depending upon the stage of the cancer there are several treatments available for ovarian cancer. Important is the diagnosis of the state.

Surgeries are done to remove the cancerous cells. If needed, the whole uterus is removed during hysterectomy, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed during bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and lymph nodes are removed during lymphadenectomy. Omentectomy is done by removing the fatty tissues that envelope the bowel region.

Radiotherapy is used at an early stage. A high energy radiation is used to destroy the cancerous cells.  Treatment with anti-cancer drug comes under chemotherapy.