Ovarian Cancer

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Chemotherapy is a medication-based therapy used to eradicate cancer cells. The medication can be administered intravenously (IV) or orally. While some patients do need to be hospitalised, most patients receive chemotherapy as outpatients.

Targeted therapy is an additional modality of treatment. Cancer in both its early and advanced stages can be treated with it. Targeted therapy medications attach to particular proteins on cancer cells to stop their growth.

Last but not least, maintaining oral hygiene and health is essential while receiving cancer treatment. Keep your teeth and gums clean and your mouth moist to practise good oral hygiene.

Modern tools and technologies for cancer treatment enable our oncology team at Medica to employ some of the top oncologists and oncosurgeons. Comprehensive therapy, surgery, and post-surgery care are all provided to our patients at open and honest prices.

Types

Epithelial Ovarian Carcinomas

They are primarily benign ovarian tumors. These generally occur in epithelial cells. They can reach other organs of the body. It can spread to organs of the pelvis and abdomen.

Tumours of the germ cells

Reproductive cell tumours are known as germ cell tumours. These can be found in both male and female sperm and eggs. Women may therefore develop this cancer at a younger age.

Tumours of Stromal Cells

Compared to ovarian germ cell tumours, stromal cell tumours are more frequent. It's because stromal cells are where cancer begins to grow. The female hormones progesterone and oestrogen are produced by these cells.

Ovarian Sarcoma

The connective tissue surrounding ovarian cells is where ovarian sarcoma develops. One of the most typical signs of this kind of cancer is abdominal pain.

Symptoms

Most women with ovarian cancer may only have minor symptoms or may not have any symptoms at all. Only in more advanced stages can women experience its symptoms. Among the possible symptoms are:

• bleeding vaginally
• increased back pain
• lower abdomen discomfort
• Unusual or irregular times
• Unexpected weight gain or loss
• appetite decline
• vomiting, queasy, or gas
• recurring urination
• Modifications to the way that the bowel moves

Causes

The risk of ovarian cancer is increased by multiple factors. Among them are:

• Age: Ovarian cancer is more common in women between the ages of 60 and 80. Furthermore, the risk of ovarian cancer rises with age.
• Family History: Women are more vulnerable if they have a family member with ovarian cancer.
• Genetic Mutation: Certain genetic mutations, such as those affecting the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, raise the risk of ovarian cancer.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing cancer. Ovarian cancer can result from using hormone replacement therapy to control menopause.
• Endometriosis: Ovarian cancer may result from the development of tissues outside the uterus that resemble the internal cells of the uterus. Endometriosis is the name of the disease. Pain is a possibility for women.

Stages

• Stage I: The initial phases of ovarian cancer are referred to as stage I.
  This stage has three substages, A, B, and C:
  • Stage I-A: At this point, one ovary or fallopian tube contains cancerous cells
  • Stage I-B: At this point, there are cancer cells in either both fallopian tubes or both ovaries.
  • Stage I-C: There are cancer cells in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, along with one or more of the following:
    • On the exterior of the fallopian tubes or ovaries, cancer cells may be present
    • The ovary's protective capsule has cracked open.
    • It is possible to find cancer cells in your abdominal fluid, tissue lining, or peritoneum.
• Stage II:The cancer cells have started to spread in stage II cancer. Two substages, A and B, comprise this stage:
  • Stage II-A: The cancer has either spread from the fallopian tubes to the uterus and/or the ovaries, or it has spread from the ovary or ovaries to the uterus and/or the fallopian tubes.
  • Stage II-B: : Your bladder, colon, or rectum have been affected by the cancer's peritoneal cavity metastases.
• Stage III: The cancer has advanced to a more severe stage in Stage III. This stage has three substages, A, B, and C:
  • Stage III-A: This stage can be explained in two ways:
    • The cancer cells have spread to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, which are the lymph nodes closest to the abdomen.
    • The pathologist can examine the samples under a microscope (lining) to determine that the malignant cells have spread outside the pelvis to the peritoneum, something the surgeon cannot see with the naked eye. It's also possible that nearby lymph nodes have been affected by the cancer.
  • Stage III-B: The cancer within the peritoneum is visible to the surgeon, but it is only 2 cm or smaller. The cancer has spread to areas other than the pelvis. It's possible that it's moved to lymph nodes nearby.
  • Stage III-C: the cancer has grown to a diameter of at least 2 cm and has spread to the peritoneum outside the pelvis. Additionally, it might have spread to the lymph nodes nearby as well as the exterior of the spleen and/or liver.
• Stage IV: The most advanced stage of ovarian cancer is Stage IV. There are two substages, A and B:
  • Stage IV-A: In this stage, extra fluid that has accumulated around the lungs is found to contain cancer cells.
  • Stage IV-B: At this point, the cancer has spread to tissues and organs outside of the abdomen, including groyne lymph nodes

Diagnosis

The detection and diagnosis of ovarian cancer are difficult. There is no reliable early diagnosis for ovarian cancer. But the doctors may suggest:

• A complete pelvic examination
• Ultrasound, a transvaginal or pelvic ultrasound
• Radiological tests, such as transvaginal ultrasound or CT scan.
• Blood tests such as CA-125.
• Biopsy

There are several ways to avoid ovarian cancer. Among them are:

• Hormone replacement therapy should not be started after the menstrual cycle has ended
• Control your weight.
• Reduce your chance of ovarian cancer by using oral contraceptives.
• Hysterectomy and tubal ligation can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Treatment

• The management of ovarian cancer involves a number of treatment options. These therapies include some conventional procedures, systemic therapies, and local therapies.
• Local therapy targets the tumour site exclusively, sparing surrounding organs. Radiation therapy and surgery are part of it.
• Drugs were used in the systemic treatment of ovarian cancer. It can penetrate cancerous cells found throughout the body. The treatment includes chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy.
• Common strategies are employed depending on the tumor's stage and certain unique circumstances.
• Our medical oncology department at Medica employs state-of-the-art technologies and customised multimodal treatment approaches to prevent, screen, diagnose, and treat a variety of cancers with comprehensive care.