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Few diseases are as scary as cancer, no matter what the type. Just by hearing the word, many people already start to have thousands of bad thoughts and about how the disease is difficult to be overcome.
It is true that this is not a type of simple disease, but the situation has been worse, especially with the technological advances we have today. When first discovered, diseases like ovarian cancer can be treated with a high chance of a cure, even though treatment is not easy to deal with.
Some types of cancer affect only women and it is important to know how they develop and what symptoms they cause. So today we are going to talk about everything you need to know about ovarian cancer.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system, responsible for the production of sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone and also for the production of eggs. Ovarian cancer occurs from the appearance of tumors, usually in a silent way and difficult to diagnose.
For these and other reasons it is considered the most serious type of gynecological cancer . It can occur in any age group, but it is more common in older women, over 40 years.
As with other types of cancer, it is very difficult to establish a cause for this disease, since it arises from diseased cells that rapidly multiply and join together to form tumors.
Types of Ovarian Cancer
There is not only one type of cancer in the ovary, but several. They are determined from the cells in which the disease begins, so the treatment that will be applied will depend on the type of cancer that is developing. We can divide ovarian cancer into three types, they are:
- Epithelial Tumors
- Stromal Tumors
- Germinative Tumors
Below we will indicate the main characteristics of each one of them and what differentiates them from each other.
Epithelial Tumors
These are the tumors that start in the outer cells of the ovaries and are the most common among women, they are almost always benign, as is the case of Berdeline tumors , which are more rare and less aggressive. However, there may also be malignant tumors, these are called carcinomas and are usually more aggressive and at high risk of metastasis.
Stromal Tumors
Stromal tumors appear initially in the cells that make up the tissues where hormones are produced. It is considered a rare type of ovarian cancer and most often occurs in older women , however it can also appear in younger women. One of the symptoms of this type of tumor is the growth of facial and body hair.
Germinative Tumors
Germinal tumors arise in the cells responsible for the production of eggs. It is also seen as a rare type of ovarian cancer and is almost always benign. One of the differentials of this type of cancer is that it affects, in most cases, younger women , at reproductive age.
Risk factors
There are some risk factors that can make this type of cancer appear more easily. It is common for women within these factors to have ovarian cancer, but this is not a rule and does not mean it will happen to you.
However, if you fit these factors it is very important to have regular follow-up with a gynecologist and talk to him about the possibility of developing this type of cancer.
The main risk factors for ovarian cancer are:
- Family history, especially when a first-degree relative has already had the disease;
- Genetic syndromes, mainly when there are mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes;
- Obesity and smoking;
- Use of IUD, intrauterine device;
- Hormone replacement , especially in menopause ;
- Early onset of menstruation .
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is hardly ever diagnosed in its early stages, because most symptoms are mistaken for other less serious illnesses . That is why it is very important to retake all gynecological exams at least once a year and whenever you notice something strange, see a doctor.
Another important point is that, as we have seen, there are several types of tumors that can develop in the ovaries and each of them has some specific symptoms, however in general the main symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
- Strong and constant pains in the abdominal region;
- Swelling in the abdominal region, ascites;
- Urinary disorders;
- Irregular menstruation ;
- Fatigue;
- Indigestion, diarrhea or constipation
As you can see, the symptoms are universal and can indicate many gynecological complications and not necessarily ovarian cancer. In such cases, it is necessary to take into account the risk factors in order to be able to carry out more in-depth examinations.
How is the diagnosis made?
As there are no preventive exams for this type of cancer, the diagnosis starts in routine consultations with a specialist, through a pelvic exam that aims to look for abnormalities in the uterus and ovaries.
If something is found, the doctor will order more tests, preferably imaging tests such as transvaginal ultrasound, MRI and tomography. Blood tests may also be ordered to diagnose ovarian cancer.
The CA125 protein is analyzed through a blood sample, which when elevated can be an indication of the disease. Finally, a biopsy of the ovary tissues may be requested.
Ovarian Cancer Stages
Ovarian cancer has some stages that are defined after surgery. Through this surgery, doctors will have a conclusive result and will know at what stage the disease is. The more advanced it is, the more difficult it will be to cure . The stages are:
- Stage I: When cancer is present only in the ovaries;
- Stage II: When cancer is already found in other parts such as the uterus, fallopian tubes and fallopian tubes;
- Stage III: When the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes;
- Stage IV: When the cancer is already outside the pelvis, present in the lungs, livers and other regions.
Ovarian Cancer Treatment
The options for the treatment of ovarian cancer are diverse, however it is necessary to take into account several factors, the main one being the stage in which the disease is . Among the most common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and alternative treatments. The treatments are:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
- Alternative Treatments
We will explain a little better about each one below.
Surgery
Surgery is usually the most used treatment, in which one or both ovaries and one or both fallopian tubes are removed, in some cases total hysterectomy may be necessary , when the entire uterus and cervix is removed.
Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
The number of chemotherapy sessions will depend on the stage of the disease, as this treatment can be used to decrease the size of the tumor or destroy it completely.
A negative point in this case is that chemotherapy usually causes many side effects , such as nausea and kidney problems. Radiotherapy is not usually used to treat this type of cancer, but it can be an alternative.
Alternative Treatments
Along with the main treatment indicated by doctors, the patient can look for other methods that help to alleviate the symptoms and the effects that the treatments can cause. Activities like acupuncture and yoga can be very useful.
In all cases, it is important to know that the type of treatment chosen should be discussed not only among the medical team, but also with the patient.
Possible Complications
The main complications of the disease are associated with the more advanced stage of the disease, when metastasis occurs. The tumor can spread to vital organs like the liver and lungs and then cause several problems caused by the deficiency of these organs.
How to Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
As we said before, there is no preventive exam for ovarian cancer, but it is still possible to discover it at the beginning and treat it without major complications, for this it is necessary to do the gynecological monitoring and be up to date with the routine exams .
Also be aware of any abnormal signals that the body may be sending. In addition, since obesity and smoking can put you at risk, try to have a more balanced and healthy diet and leave the cigarette behind.
These attitudes help not only to prevent and discover ovarian cancer in advance, but also any other gynecological disease.
Not knowing what to do when you discover that you have a disease like ovarian cancer can be quite scary, but when you have good medical help, you realize that the
problem may not even be as serious as you think. During treatment, it is important to keep your head in place and know that, even if it is a serious illness, there are many cases of cure and different types of treatments that can help you.
Learning how to deal psychologically with the disease is a big step during your treatment, as your head needs to be in place for you to fight this battle with all your strength.
See also: Telarca Precoce – What it is, Causes and Symptoms
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
