Ovarian Cancer

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By peace | June 18, 2006

Ovarian cancer is a disease produced by the rapid growth and division of cells within one or both ovaries reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, and the female sex hormones are made.

The ovaries contain cells that, under normal circumstances, reproduce to maintain tissue health. When growth control is lost and cells divide too much and too fast, a cellular massor tumoris formed. If the tumor is confined to a few cell layers, for example, surface cells, and it does not invade surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered benign. If the tumor spreads to surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered malignant, or cancerous.

When cancerous cells break away from the original tumor, travel through the blood or lymphatic vessels, and grow within other parts of the body, the process is known as metastasis. Many kinds of tumors can form in the ovaries. In fact, there are over 30 known histopathologic, or diseased tissue, types.

Experts group ovarian cancers within three major categories, according to the type of cells from which they were formed.

1. Epithelial cancers, which are the most common ovarian cancers, arise from cells lining or covering the ovaries.

2. Germ cell cancers start from germ cells (cells that are destined to form eggs) within the ovaries.

3. Sex cord, stromal cell cancers, begin in the cells that hold the ovaries together and produce female hormones.

Incidence and Prevalence

Ovarian cancer is a disease that principally affects middle and upper-class women in industrialized nations. It is uncommon in underdeveloped countries, perhaps because of different dietary factors in these regions.

Among American women, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer, and it is the leading cause of death from all types of gynecologic cancer. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed this year, with 15,000 women dying from this disease. Nearly 2% of women born in the United States are at risk of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetimes. Ovarian cancer most frequently appears in women who are older than 60 (about 50% of patients are over age 65), although it may occur in younger women who have a family history of the disease.

Ovarian cancer is responsible for 5% of all cancer deaths among women. There are marked differences in survival among patients with ovarian cancer, depending on factors such as age, cancer stage, and tissue type. Younger patients tend to fare better in all stages than do older patients, whereas race does not play a factor, as it does in other cancers. Survival rates are similar in black and white women.

The causes of Ovarian Cancer are not known. Some factors seem to put women at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Many women who develop ovarian cancer do not have these risk factors. At the same time many women who do have the risk factors do not develop ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is more common in Caucasian (white) women who live in westernised countries with a high standard of living.

Women who have had no or few full term pregnancies appear to be more at risk of ovarian cancer. Women who have never been on the contraceptive pill also seem to be more at risk. The exact reason is uncertain. It could be because the ovaries have never had a ‘rest’ from ovulation during women’s lifetime.

Some types of ovarian cancer may be linked with a family history of cancers of the ovary, bowel, breast and lining of the uterus.

Diagnosis Of Cervical Cancer

If ovarian cancer is suspected there are a number of tests that can be performed to help the doctor decide whether symptoms are due to ovarian cancer or to other causes.

Physical Examination This will include an internal pelvic examination where the doctor checks for a mass or a lump in the lower abdomen and the pelvis.

Blood Tests Blood can be tested for a particular protein or a tumour marker called CA 125. This protein is often higher than normal in women with ovarian cancer. Some women may have other tumour markers called ‘Inhibin’ or ‘CEA’. The type of marker depends on the type of tumour. However some tumours will not have any of these tumour markers. Testing the blood for these tumour markers is one way to help diagnose cancer. These tests are also used later on to check the progress of the illness.

X-ray and other imaging tests Routine chest and abdominal x-rays may be taken as well as an ultrasound scan of the lower abdomen. You may also have an X-ray of your bowel to make sure that the symptoms are not due to a bowel problem. This X-ray is called a barium enema, which is not painful but uncomfortable.

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