What is Ovarian Cancer?What is Ovarian Cancer? Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary. The “silent killer”

Ovarian CancerQuang Truong

02-13-13Mr. Kashub 2nd Session

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary.

The “silent killer”

What are the types of ovarian cancer you may

have?

There are more than 30 different types of ovarian cancer which are classified according to the type of cell from which they start. Cancerous ovarian tumors can start from three common cell types:

Surface Epithelium - cells covering the lining of the ovaries

Germ Cells - cells that are destined to form eggs

Stromal Cells - Cells that release hormones and connect the different structures of the ovaries

What is the cause for ovarian cancer?

The precise cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but several risk and contributing factors (including both reproductive and genetic factors) have been identified.

What are the stages for ovarian cancer?

Stage I - Growth of the cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries.

Stage II - Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries with pelvic extension.

Stage III - Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following are present: (1) the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and (2) the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. The tumor is limited to the true pelvis but with histologically proven malignant extension to the small bowel or omentum.

Stage IV - This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries and distant metastases (spread of the cancer to organs located outside of the peritoneal cavity) have occurred. Finding ovarian cancer cells in pleural fluid (from the cavity which surrounds the lungs) is also evidence of stage IV disease.

How to lower my risk ovarian cancer?

Changing lifestyle or eating habits.

Avoiding things known to cause cancer.

Check ups from doctors. Ex: Pelvic Exam

Taking medicines to treat a precancerous condition or to keep cancer from starting.

What are the symptoms for ovarian

cancer? Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating

Pelvic discomfort or pain

Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea

Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation

Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate

Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full

Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist

A persistent lack of energy

Low back pain

Does it hurt?

In its earliest stages, ovarian cancer can cause no symptoms at all or only mild symptoms that may be attributed to another illness.

Pain in the more advanced stages of ovarian cancer is common.

Women can experience different types of pain due to ovarian cancer.

To control the pain is either deal with it or pain medication.

What treatments needed for ovarian

cancer? The treatment of ovarian cancer depends on

the stage of the disease, the histologic cell type, and the patient's age and overall condition.

There are basically three forms of treatment of ovarian cancer. Removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells, and radiation treatment to kill the cancer sites.

What are they going to do to me?

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) procedure

The surgeon needs to make sure that as much cancer as possible has been removed. You will be in hospital for 3 to 5 days. And recovering at home afterwards for at least another month or so.

What happens after surgery?

When you wake up after your operation you will have a few tubes in place.

-A drip (intravenous infusion) into a vein in your arm to give you fluids until you are eating and drinking again

-A tube (catheter) into your bladder to drain your urine

How you may feel after treatment?

Surgery- Hormonal effects, Fatigue

Chemo- Fatigue, N/V, Hair loss, Diarrhea

Radiation- (Fatigue) Other side effects depend on the part of your body being treated.

What are some test to see if you have ovarian

cancer? Pelvic Examination

Transvaginal ultrasound

CA-125 assay

Biopsy

X-ray

Lower gastrointestinal (GI) series

Computed tomography (CT or CAT) Scan

Positron emission tomography (PET) Scan

How long can you live with ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer that is caught early enough can be cured with surgery and you can live a normal life. Ovarian cancer that can't be cured can be treated repeatedly. Many women live for years with ovarian cancer with intermittent treatment, but each case is different.

Most ovarian cancers are already stage 3 or 4 when they are diagnosed so we really don't know how long it took them to get there. In retrospect, many women have had symptoms for many months before their diagnosis. There may also be an asymptomatic stage that could last for months or even years before the symptoms begin.

My chances of Surviving

What is the best doctor for ovarian cancer?

A gynecologic oncologist is a doctor who specializes in using surgery to treat cancer in a woman’s reproductive organs.

Why I Choose this and what’s need to be

change? Grandma #8

Change of lifestyle, culture/beliefs, & understanding.

Resources

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovarian-cancer/DS00293/DSECTION=symptoms

http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/treatment.cfm

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/ovarian-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-ovarian-cancer

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/ovarian/Patient/page1

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/overviewguide/ovarian-cancer-overview-survival

http://www.ovarian.org/types_and_stages.php