What is Ovarian cancer?
Ovaries are two almond-shaped glands in the female reproductive system. These produce the eggs needed for reproduction and also produce female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. They are located on either side of uterus/womb in the pelvis. Development and proliferation of abnormal cells in the ovaries leads to ovarian cancer.
What are risk factors for ovarian cancer?
Risk factors include:
- Family history of ovarian and breast cancer
- Women with BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene mutations
- Women who have early menstruation (before age 12) and late menopause (after age 50) have a higher risk
- Women who never carried a pregnancy or carried first pregnancy after 35 years of age have a higher risk
- Increasing age (>50 years)
- Obesity (Body mass index>30)
What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Most common symptoms include:
- Bloating sensation in abdomen
- Feeling full quickly after meals
- Pain in lower abdomen
- Urinary urgency or frequency
What are available treatment options for ovarian cancer?
Treatment options for ovarian cancer include surgery and chemotherapy. Majority of patients require a combination of these two treatment modalities.
Can ovarian cancer be cured with treatment?
If diagnosed in early stage and treated properly, ovarian cancer can be cured. However, most patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in advanced stages where the disease can only be controlled using systemic chemotherapy and surgery.