 Ovarian Cancer

o a group of diseases that originates in the ovaries, or in the related areas of the
fallopian tubes and the peritoneum. It is the most common cause of cancer death
from gynecologic tumors in the United States.

RULE IN RULE OUT

 Nulliparity  25 years old
 5 years history dyschezia occurring with  Responds to progestin Pills
menstruation treatment
 5 years history of right lower quadrant pain
associated with voiding occurring with menstruation
 Intermittent right lower quadrant pain

We ruled in ovarian cancer because the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer is increased in women
who have not had children and possibly those with early menarche or late menopause. Women
who have been pregnant have a 50% decreased risk for developing ovarian cancer compared
with nulliparous women. Epithelial ovarian cancer presents as a wide variety of vague and
nonspecific symptoms, including abdominal distension or discomfort, pressure effects on the
bladder and rectum, however, we ruled out because ovarian cancer is rare in women younger
than 40. Most ovarian cancers develop after menopause. In a study conducted by Joellen M.
Schildkraut on the impact of Progestin and Estrogen Potency in Oral Contraceptives on Ovarian
Cancer Risk, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 94, Issue 1, 2 January 2002,
Pages 32–38, when comparing Oral Contraceptives categorized by estrogen and progestin
potency, the results provided evidence that OC formulations with higher progestin potency
confer a greater reduction in risk of ovarian cancer than those with lower progestin potency,
irrespective of the estrogen content, duration of use, and latency,