Cancer starts when cells in the body grow out of control. The ovaries are reproductive glands found in the pelvis, communicating with the rest of the female reproductive system through the fallopian tubes. Their function is nothing more than reproduction, in addition to being covered or protected by epithelial cells, which are the cause of the malignant transformation that occurs in most ovarian cancers.
To this day, it is medically unknown how and why cancer appears in the ovaries. However, there are several hormonal and reproductive factors that can produce its appearance, as is the case of fertility or a specific number of pregnancies. Genetically determining factors only include 10 to 15 percent of cases. In other situations, they are directly associated with breast and ovarian cancer in the same branch in the same person. It is also suspected that some environmental factors are involved in the appearance of these malignant cells, such as the use of talcum powder or virus infections.
There is an estimated 1.5 percent of women who are diagnosed with this disease in their lifetime. Although this tumor usually develops in women between 50 and 70 years old, it can also appear in youth, this type of cancer being the one that takes more female lives than any other.
This type of disease does not usually present many symptoms that lead to its diagnosis, thus being able to reach a fairly advanced stage before being detected. However, there are alerts that can give warning and allow the detection of this type of cancer, which are:
- Discomfort in the lower abdomen: it is similar to indigestion. However, uterine bleeding is rare.
- Postmenopausal patients with larger ovaries: this can be an early sign of cancer since their large size can be due to the presence of cysts.
- Fluid in the abdomen: swelling may occur when the ovaries are enlarged.
- Pelvic pain, anemia and weight loss: together with all these factors, it can be joined by the excessive enlargement of the uterus, breasts or a greater development of hair in some parts of the body.
- Lack of appetite, this symptom can be one of the weakest, in addition to fatigue.
Although there is no exact knowledge of the appearance of this cancer, it can be prevented from an early age, this disease is less frequent in women who have had several pregnancies, despite believing otherwise. Women who have taken contraceptives throughout their lives are also less likely to have these complications, however this remains unproven, since contraceptives can cause other cardiovascular diseases and the appearance of other tumors. Having a history of genetic predisposition to cancer is also very important when it comes to keeping this disease at bay, since between 15 to 20 percent of ovarian cancer are registered at theworldwide, they are genetic. The removal of organs that have the potential to produce malignant cells, such as the breasts or ovaries, are also presented as options for those people, who, through their genetic background, demonstrate their possible future suffering from this disease.
As for the diagnosis, it is quite difficult to establish, because usually the symptoms do not appear until the cancer has spread and the symptoms are very similar to other less serious diseases, as is the case of gastrointestinal diseases. Basically its diagnosis is detected in a routine gynecological check-up, through an ultrasound and blood analysis called CA-125 that usually confirm the suspicions and that must be rectified with an operation. The most recommended treatment for this complication is surgery, since it is capable of eliminating the tumor in its entirety. In most cases, the uterus and both ovaries are completely removed. Ovarian cancer in its early stages is highly curable, but in intermediate stages the prognosis is not at all promising.
As there is no effective form of early prevention, chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery are therapies with biological agents that allow a more stable control, as far as ovarian cancer is concerned. More than 90 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer survive more than 5 years if the diagnosis is made early. The survival rate in patients has tripled over the years compared to the 1980s.
