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    Ovarian Cancer

    Ovarian Cancer

    Overview
    • Ovarian cancer involves abnormal cell growth within the ovary and surrounding tissues
    • Ovarian cancer can be one of three types:
    • Epithelial– which can involve either one or both ovaries, where cancer cells grow on the outside of the ovary.
      • In some occasions, the cancer will be growing along the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal lining).
      • This type of ovarian cancer is the most common, accounting for approximately 90% of ovarian cancers.
    • Germ cell – involves the cells that produce the eggs, and account for approximately 4% of all ovarian cancers.
    • Stromal tumour – involves the tissues that support the ovary in producing oestrogen and progesterone hormones.
    What are the signs and symptoms?
    The ovarian cancer symptoms include:
    • Pressure, pain and bloating in the abdominal region
    • Difficulty eating and abnormal fullness after every meal
    • Increased urination
    • Abnormal pain during sex
    • Pelvic or abdominal pain
    • Severe back pain
    • Changes in the menstrual cycle and constipation
    • Fatigue
    Due to vague localizing symptoms, almost 60% of patients present with advanced (Stage III or IV) disease
    Treatment options
    The main ovarian cancer treatment options include:
    1. Surgery – Most ovarian cancers can be treated by surgery. The extent of surgery required usually depends on how far cancer has spread and also on the general health of the patient. The main goal of the surgery is to remove the cancer completely from the body.
    Advanced cancers with peritoneal spread may benefit from CRS+ HIPEC
    2. Chemotherapy – When the cancer is advanced, the patient must undergo Chemotherapy. It is a systematic treatment in which the drugs are given in a way that they reach all parts of the body.
    3. Hormone Therapy – Hormone-blocking drugs are used to fight cancer in Hormone Therapy. This treatment option is helpful in treating ovarian stromal tumours.
    4. Targeted Therapy – Relatively a new treatment type, targeted therapy uses drugs that directly attack the cancer cells while causing less harm to the normal cells