OVARIAN CANCER

Di Wen, M.D.,Ph.D

OVARIAN TUMOURS

Ovarian tumors may arise at any age, but are commonest between 30 and 60. 1.Ovarian tumors are particularly liable to be or to become malignant. 2.In their early stages they are asymptomatic and painless. 3.They may grow to a large size and tend to undergo mechanical complications such as torsion and perforation.

Definition

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Definition
In developed countrieswomen have a lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer of about 1.4%which is slightly greater than the risk of cervical or endometrial cancers, but well below the 7% average risk of breast cancer

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Risk Factor

as in the Lynch Syndrome of familial breast colorectal and ovarian cancerOvulation induction with Clomiphene over more than year carries a l0-fold increased risk of ovarian cancer, Long-term ora1 contraceptive use reduces the incidence of ovarian cancers
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Genetic factor are sometimes involved

CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Incidence
Nearly 25% of all ovarian neoplasm are malignantApproximately 80 of them are primary growths of the ovarythe remainder being secondaryusually carcinomata

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Primary Carcinoma of the Ovary 80 of all cases of primary carcinoma of the ovary arise in serous or mucinous cysts.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Solid Carcinoma of the Ovary

This accounts for 10% of primary carcinoma. It is arise commonly bilateral but one tumor is usually larger than the other. The ovarian shape is retained for a time and there is a well-marked pedicle but soon the tumors become fixed. Secondary deposits occur in the omentum and ascites develops.

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CLINICAL FEATURES OF OVARIAN TUMOURS

Symptoms due to Size

Lack of any specific symptoms, ovarian tumors are often large by the time the doctor is consulted.

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is seldom upset, and any irregularity is attributed to the patients time of life.

Menstrual

function

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She may have noticed that her clothes are getting tight ant attributed this to weight gain or, if the abdominal swelling has coincided with amenorrhea she may believe herself to be pregnant.

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CLINICAL FEATURES OF OVARIAN TUMOURS

Pressure Symptoms
These are commonly increased frequency of micturition, gastrointestinal symptoms and a dull pain in the lower abdomen. Very large tumors may cause respiratory embarrassment and edema or varicosities in the legs, and a characteristic ovarian cachexia develops, due perhaps to interference with alimentary function.

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CLINICAL FEATURES OF OVARIAN TUMOURS

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CLINICAL FEATURES OF OVARIAN TUMOURS

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CLINICAL FEATURES OF OVARIAN TUMOURS

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CLINICAL FEATURES OF OVARIAN TUMOURS

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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

General rule

An experienced examiner will recognize an ovarian tumor mainly because ovarian tumor is, in the circumstances, the most likely diagnosis. All abdominal swellings should be subjected to ultrasound and X-ray examination.

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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

ASCITES
A fluid thrill may be elicited from an ovarian cyst, and ascites and tumor may coexist; but as a rule the distinction should be easily made.

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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Uterine Fibroids
A large midline intramural fibroid may be impossible to distinguish from a solid ovarian tumor until the abdomen is opened and an entirely different surgical problem encountered.

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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

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TORSION of the PEDICLE

Complications of Ovarian Tumors

This is the commonest complication and may occur with any tumor except those with adhesions. The thin-walled veins of the pedicle are obstructed first while the arterial supply continues. As a result there is hemorrhage into the tumor and into the peritoneum, and if not treated gangrene will occur. Very rarely the pedicle atrophies and the tumor obtains a new blood supply through its adhesions to surrounding viscera (parasitic tumor).

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TORSION of the PEDICLE

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TORSION of the PEDICLE

Clinical Features
Subacute
The patient complains of recurrent abdominal pain which passes off as the pedicle untwists. There is a rise in pulse and temperature during the bleeding; and over a period anemia develops.

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TORSION of the PEDICLE

Clinical Features
Acute
The signs and symptoms are those of an acute abdominal condition. The problem becomes one of differential diagnosis to exclude those conditions in which laparotomy is not needed and laparoscopy may be useful.

Pain tends continuous.

to

be

intense

and

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TORSION of the PEDICLE

Clinical Features
Differential Diagnosis
Surgical Conditions (i.e. those conditions commonly seen and dealt with by a general surgeon.) Acute appendicitis Meckels diverticulitis Obstruction of bowel Diverticulitis

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TORSION of the PEDICLE

Ruptured Cyst
This may occur alone or in conjunction with torsion. Rupture is not particularly upsetting to the patient unless the contents are irritant.

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TORSION of the PEDICLE

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TORSION of the PEDICLE

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RUPTURE OF OVARIAN CYST

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RUPTURE OF OVARIAN CYST

RUPTURE OF OVARIAN CYST RUPTURE OF OVARIAN CYST

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RUPTURE OF OVARIAN CYST

PSEUDOMYXOMA PERITONEI
This rare condition occasionally but not inevitably follows mthe rupture of a mucinous cystadenoma. The epithelial cells implant on the peritoneum and continue to secrete a gelatinous pseudomucin which is not absorbed, or secretion is faster than absorption. The abdominal cavity is eventually filled with the jelly, while the secreting cells spread over the parietal and visceral peritoneum.
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RUPTURE OF OVARIAN CYST

HYDROTHORAX
Hydrothorax may accompany ascites due to any cause, or may occur as an accompaniment of a lung tumor. The so-called Meigs syndrome describes the specific condition of ascites and hydrothorax in conjunction with benign ovarian fibroma.

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Features suggestive of malignancy

1.Age. If the patient is over 50 the chance of malignancy is over 50% as opposed to less than 15% in premenopausal women. Tumors in childhood are usually malignant. 2.Rapid growth. 3.Ascites.

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Features suggestive of malignancy

4.Solid tumours, especially when bilateral. 5.Multilocular cysts with solid areas. (At least 10% of cysts are malignant). 6.Pain. Pressure pain can occur with any tumor; but referred pain suggests malignant involvement of nerve roots. 7.Tumor markers, such as CA125, may be measured in the blood, but a normal level does not exclude malignancy.

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OVARIAN TUMOURS

Histological Classification

Most tumors arise from the ovarian stroma and germinal epithelium. The embryonic coelom from which that epithelium develops also gives rise to the Mullerian duct from which develop the structures of the genital tract, and it is this common origin which explains the great variety of epithelial patterns which are met with.

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OVARIAN TUMOURS

PRIMARY EPITHELIAL TUMOR

1.Mucinous cystadenoma or cystadencarcinoma (of. Cervical epithelium). 2.Serous cystadenoma or cystadenocarcinoma (of . tubal epithelium). 3.Endometrioma or Endometrioid carcinoma (of. Endometrium). 4.Clear cell carcinoma. 5.Brenner tumour.

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OVARIAN TUMOURS STROMATOUS TUMOURS GERM CELL TUMOURS

.Fibroma or sarcoma. .Dysgerminoma. .Teratoma. .Gonadoblastoma. .Yolk sac tumour. .Carcinoid .Thyroid tumour Choriocarcinoma

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OVARIAN TUMOURS

HORMONE-PRODUCING TUMORS
Estrogen-producing:
Granulosa cell tumour. Thecoma. Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour (Arrhenoblastoma). Hilar cell tumour. Lipoid cell tumour.

Androgen-prodicing:

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OVARIAN TUMOURS

krukenberg tumour
There is one well-known secondary tumour of the ovary, the krukenberg tumour, a secondary of a stomach carcinoma.

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OVARIAN TUMOURS --MUCINOUS CYSTADENOMA

Definition

A unilocular or multilocular cyst of ovary lined by tall columnar epithelium resembling that of the cervix or large intestine. It is usually large and may reach immense proportions, occupying the whole peritoneal cavity and compressing other organs. It may occur at any age.
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OVARIAN TUMOURS --MUCINOUS CYSTADENOMA

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OVARIAN TUMOURS --MUCINOUS CYSTADENOMA

signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms are those generally associated with any nonfunctioning ovarian tumor. Rupture may occur and seeding of the epithelium on the peritoneal surface may cause pseudomyxoma peritonei.

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OVARIAN TUMORS --MUCINOUS CYSTADENOCARCINOMA

Definition
This is only a third as common as the serous variety. Malignancy in a mucinous cyst is characterised by the formation of areas of solid carcinoma in the wall. The cells are columnar, show mitoses and tend to form glandular structures.
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OVARIAN TUMORS --SEROUS CYSTADENOMA

Definition
A unilocular or multilocular cyst lined by epithelium similar to the fallopian tube. They are the most common benign epithelial tumors and form 20% of all ovarian neoplasm. In 10% of cases they are bilateral. It is uncommon to find them large than a fetal head.

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OVARIAN TUMORS --SEROUS CYSTADENOMA

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OVARIAN TUMORS --SEROUS CYSTADENOCARCINOMA

Definition
This is by far the commonest primary carcinoma, accounting for 60% of all cases, and in over half the cases it is bilateral. The cysts are always of papillary type and the epithelium burrowing through the capsule produces papillary processes on the serous surface. Extension of the growth to the pelvis and adjacent organs fixes the tumor. Ascites is always present.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Endometrioid Carcinoma of the Ovary

It is now recognized that carcinoma of the ovary may be of endometrial type, sometimes arising in endometrioma. Attacks of pain, unusual with ovarian cancer, are common. Sometimes there is uterine bleeding in post-menopausal cases.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Endometrioid Carcinoma of the Ovary

Usually the lesion is cystic and chocolate brown in color. If such a cyst ruptures spontaneously, malignancy should be suspected. The histology varies as in uterine carcinoma. It may be a welldifferentiated adenocarcinoma, an adenoacanthoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma or clear-celled carcinoma.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Clear Cell Carcinoma

It is doubtful if this exists as a distinct entity. Clear cells may be seen in almost any variety of ovarian carcinoma, but occasionally a carcinoma, usually solid, consists almost entirely of polygonal cells with clear cytoplasm. It behaves in the same way as any other solid carcinoma and has the same prognosis.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Secondary Carcinoma of the Ovary

The ovary may be the site of secondary deposits from growths arising in other parts of the genital tract. These are usually overshadowed by the clinical manifestations of the primary growth.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Secondary Carcinoma of the Ovary

Ovarian metastases from extragenital tumors are not uncommon. The commonest sites of primary growth are breast, stomach and large intestine.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

FIBROMA
This is composed of fibrous tissue and resembles fibromata found elsewhere. It is most common in the elderly and accounts for 4-5% of all ovarian neoplasm. The fibroma is believed by many to be a thecoma which has undergone fibrous transformation. It is sometimes associated with Meigs syndrome.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

GERM CELL TUMOURS

There are four main types of gern cell tumour:

.Dysgerminoma; .Tumours of tissues found in the embryo or adult ---- the teratomata; .Tumours of dysgenetic gonads ---- commonly a gonadoblastoma; .Tumours of extra-embryonic tissues such as choriocarcinoma or yolk sac tumour.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Dysgerminoma
This is the only solid ovarian tumor of characteristic appearance. Usually ovoid with a smooth capsule, it is of rubbery consistency and greyish colour. It is commonest in younger age groups, under 30 years as a rule, and is often bilateral. Sometimes it is found in cases of intersex.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Yolk sac tumor

This is a rare tumor found in children and young adults. It has a variable histological structure and is highly malignant. The main interest lies in the fact that it produces alphafetoprotein and the blood levels can be used as a diagnostic test and as a means of monitoring response to treatment.
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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Estrogen-producing Tumors
These belong to the granulosatheca cell group and are found at all ages. They account for 3% of all solid tumors of the ovary.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

Estrogen-producing Tumors
In childhood there is accelerated skeletal growth and appearance of sex hair. 5% occur in children precocious puberty. 60% occur in child-bearing years irregular menstruation. 30% occur in post-menopausal women post-menopausal bleeding.

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CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY

ANDOROGEN-PRODUCING TUMOURS Three distinct types of masculinising ovarian tumor are recognised: a) SertoliLeydig cell tumor (Arrhenoblastoma), b) Hilar cell tumor, c) Lipoid cell tumor. All three cause amenorrhoea.

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Spread of Ovarian Cancer

Direct
The first spread is directly into neighbouring structures peritoneum, uterus, bladder, bowel and omentum.

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Spread of Ovarian Cancer

Lymphatics
Ovarian drainage is to the para-aortic glands, but sometimes to the pelvic and even inguinal groups. Cells seeded on to the peritoneum are drained via the lymphatic channels on the underside of the diaphragm into the subpleural glands and thence to the pleura.

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Spread of Ovarian Cancer

Blood stream
Blood spread is usually late, to the liver and lungs.

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SURGICAL PROCEDURES IN OVARIAN CANCER

General Principle
1.To classify the growth according to its extent of spread (staging) as accurately as possible. 2.To remove as much cancerous tissue as possible (surgical debulking;cytoreductive treatment).

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SURGICAL TREATMENT OF OVARIAN TUMMOURS

General Rule

Benign ovarian over 10 cm in diameter must be removed, but clinical and ultrasonically diagnosed cysts under 10 cm (the size of a lemon) in women under 35 years may be reviewed in a few months if there is no suspicion of malignancy. A follicular or luteral cyst may resolve spontaneously.

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SURGICAL TREATMENT OF OVARIAN TUMMOURS

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SURGICAL TREATMENT OF OVARIAN TUMMOURS

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SURGICAL TREATMENT OF OVARIAN TUMMOURS

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TREATMENT OF OVARIAN CANCER

General Principle
Much attention is being directed towards the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer which is now the most frequent cause of death from gynecological malignancy. The principles of treatment are:

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TREATMENT OF OVARIAN CANCER

General Principle
Ovarian carcinoma is staged surgically, so laparotomy is an essential part of management for most patients. Surgical removal of as much malignant tissue as possible, even if this should call for resection of structures outside the normal field of the gynecologist.

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TREATMENT OF OVARIAN CANCER

General Principle

Follow-up with intensive chemotherapy, using various combinations of antineoplastic drugs. Taxanes, probably combined with platinum compounds, are an appropriate first choice. A second look laparotomy or laparoscopy operation (SLO), to determine the actual effectiveness of the chemotherapy and to decide whether it should be stopped does not affect prognosis, so should only be performed with informed consent in clinical trials.
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SURGICAL PROCEDURES IN OVARIAN CANCER

Incision
A vertical incision which can be extended is essential to allow a full inspection. Reduction of a cyst by tapping and extraction through a suprapubic incision is not acceptable practice.

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SURGICAL PROCEDURES IN OVARIAN CANCER

Cytology
Before handling the tumour, take specimens of ascitic fluid or peritoneal saline washings for cytological examination, and a cytology smear from the underside of the diaphragm.

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SURGICAL PROCEDURES IN OVARIAN CANCER

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