Ovarian cancer is a cancer that begins in the ovaries. Ovarian cancer is a common disease.

Ovarian cancer occurs when a cancerous tumor is located in a woman’s ovary. Ovarian cancer is

classified by the type of cell from which the tumor begins to grow. The most common ovarian tumors

begin in the cells that cover the ovaries, called epithelial tumors. Tumors can also begin in germ

cells(cells that form eggs) or sex cord stromal cells(cells that secrete hormones) and connect all the

parts of the ovaries. Most ovarian tumors are benign, not cancerous. If an ovarian tumor is malignant it

is most likely an epithelial tumor. The fallopian tubes can also be the source of some ovarian cancer.

The ovaries and the fallopian tubes are closely related to each other. This cells can mimic ovarian cancer.

In most cases there are no symptoms of ovarian cancer found, but its warning signs include: on

going pain in the in the back and belly, abnormal vaginal discharge, and nausea and bloating. These

symptoms are often mistaken as other diseases. Ovarian cancer is most common in older women.

Women younger than 65 tend to live longer with the disease. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 ovarian cancer are

diagnosed early when the cancer is still local and most treatable. Early diagnosis would result in better

survival. In 2004, in the United States, 25, 580 cases were diagnosed and 16, 090 women died of ovarian

cancer. The risk increases with age and decreases with pregnancy. Lifetime risks is about 1.6% , but

women with affected first- degree relatives have a 5% risk. Women with a mutated BRCA 1 or BRCA 2

gene carry the risk between 25% and 60% depending on the specific mutation. Ovarian cancer is the

fifth leading cause of death from cancer in women and the leading cause of death from gynecological

cancer.

, Infertile women and those with a condition called endometriosis, those who have never been

pregnant, and those who use post menopausal estrogen replacement therapy are at an increased risk.
Use of combined oral contraceptive pills is a protective factor. The risk also is lower in women who have

their uterine tubes blocked surgically.

Diagnosis of ovarian cancer starts with physical examinations, a blood test(CA-125) and a trans-

vaginal ultrasound. The diagnosis must be confirmed with surgery to inspect the abdominal cavity, take

biopsies, and look for cancer cells in the abdominal fluid.

Treatments of ovarian cancer depends on the stage of the cancer. If in stage 1 and the woman

wishes to get pregnant, only the affected ovary and fallopian tube will be removed. In other cases, the

ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus are removed. Chemotherapy will be used to destroy small groups of

cells where the cancer persists. Surgery is the most effective treatment when found at early stages of

ovarian cancer.

Stages of ovarian cancer are I- IV. In stage 1 ovarian cancer is confined to one or both ovaries. In

stage 2 ovarian cancer has spread to other locations in the pelvis, such as the uterus and fallopian

tubes. Stage 3 ovarian cancer has spread to the lining of the abdomen. This is the most common stage of

the disease identified at the time of diagnosis. Stage 4 ovarian cancer has spread to organs beyond the

abdomen.

35-38% of women are victorious with the battle of ovarian cancer. The older you are , the more

at risk you are for ovarian cancer. About 2/3 of deaths from this cancer occurs in women 55 and older.

Reducing the risks for developing ovarian cancer are oral contraceptive. Women who use birth control
for five years or more reduce their risk of developing ovarian cancer. Breast feeding and pregnancy-

having one or more children before 25 and breast feeding reduces the risk for ovarian cancer. Ovarian

cancer is a very deadly type of cancer but when detected early can be cured. Remember to get your

yearly pap smears to prevent or even treat this disease.