What is ovarian cancer?

​

Ovarian cancer is a disease in which cells in the ovaries multiply and grow abnormally, forming a tumor. The ovaries are two organs the size of an almond located in the woman's pelvis and are responsible for producing the female part for fertilization, as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

 

What are the types of ovarian cancer?

​

It depends on the type of cells from which it originates, and can be: epithelial (those that cover the surface of the ovaries), germinal (which form the cells for fertilization), and stromal (which maintain the shape of the ovary and produce hormones).

​

Is ovarian cancer a genetic disease?

​

About 1 in 10 women who are diagnosed will have either a strong family history of ovarian cancer or a mutation in a gene that increases risk of the disease.

 

Symptoms for ovarian cancer

 

Ovarian cancer rarely has noticeable symptoms when it is in its earliest stages. As the cancer progresses, subtle signs begin to appear, but you might not notice them right away, or they may be blamed on other common conditions.

The symptoms include: abdominal bloating or swelling, pain in the abdomen or pelvis, difficulty eating, or feeling full quickly, lack of appetite, feeling an urgent need to urinate, needing to urinate frequently, change in bowel habits  (constipation or diarrhea), change in menstrual periods, vaginal bleeding between periods, back pain, weight gain or loss.

 

Diagnostic for ovarian cancer

​

To check for ovarian cancer, we perform a pelvic exam to feel for lumps or changes in and around the ovaries, and order additional tests if you’ve been experiencing persistent abdominal bloating, discomfort, or other symptoms, or if you have risk factors for this cancer. If you do have ovarian cancer, surgery can give us crucial information about your diagnosis, from the type of tumor you have to its stage (if it has spread and if so, how far). 

 

Treatment for ovarian cancer 

​

Surgery  is the main treatment for ovarian cancer, regardless of whether the disease is early or advanced. The type of surgery you receive depends on several factors, including the type and stage of your cancer, your general health, and whether you plan on having children in the future.