Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer information such as how many people get ovarian cancer, what is ovarian cancer, risk factors of ovarian cancer and screening recommendations.
According to American Cancer Society approximately 22,220 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2005 and approximately 16,210 women will die from ovarian cancer in 2005. Ovarian cancer occurs in a woman?Ĵs ovaries. Women have two ovaries which produce eggs and are the main source of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries contain three kinds of tissue ?Ĭ germ cells, stromal cells and epithelial cells. Many types of tumors can start in the ovaries. See below:
Epithelial Ovarian Tumors are growths that start from the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary. They are divided into three sub-groups:
- Benign Epithelial Tumors: Non-cancerous tumors that do not spread and usually do not lead to serious illness.
- Tumors of Low Malignant Potential (LMP Tumors): Not clearly cancerous or borderline tumors. Generally affect women at a younger age and are slow growing.
- Epithelial Ovarian Cancers: 9 out of 10 ovarian cancers are this type. They must be classified by a doctor. They are graded by how closely the cells look normal. Grade 1 being more normal and grade 3 less normal.
Germ Cell Tumors are growths that start from the cells that produce the eggs. About 1 in 20 ovarian cancers are this type. Many times germ cell tumors are not cancer, but some can be.
Stromal Tumors are growths that start from connective tissue that holds the ovary together and makes the females hormones. These tumors can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. More than half are found in women over age 50.
Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors
Certain risk factors increase a person?Ĵs chance of getting the disease. This does not mean the person will get the disease nor does it mean people without specific risk factors will not get the disease. It only means there is an increased chance.
Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors:
- Age -most occur after menopause
- Obesity- overweight women have a higher death rate (50%)
- Menstrual periods - a high number of cycles (beginning at an early age or ending late)
- Women who have not had children or who had their first child after 30
- Fertility drugs
- Family history
- Breast Cancer Survivors
- Estrogen Replacement Therapy (long term use)
Ovarian Cancer Screening Recommendations
Ovarian cancer is not routinely screened because it has not been proven that these tests lower the number of deaths caused by ovarian cancer. Women with high risk factors such as a strong family history may be screened with ultrasounds and blood tests. About 1 in 4 ovarian cancers are found early. Nine out of ten women treated for early ovarian cancer will live longer than 5 years. Ovarian cancer is found through:
Regular women's health exams ?Ĭ the doctor will feel the female organs to check size and shape. Most ovarian tumors are hard to find because they are deep within the body and are difficult to feel.
Symptoms: (Ovarian cancer is not always thought of as the cause of the symptoms below right away and ovarian cancer can spread quickly to the surface of nearby organs. Prompt attention can improve odds so talk to your doctor immediately if you have symptoms.)
- Swelling of the stomach (abdomen)
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic pressure
- Back or leg pain
- Problems such as gas, bloating, long-term stomach pain or indigestion
Screening tests such as imaging studies, ultrasounds, CT scans, barium enema x-rays, colonoscopy, MRIs, chest x-rays, laparoscopy and biopsy (during surgery) are used to determine if ovarian cancer is present and to what degree. Information gathered: 6-25-05.