Ovarian cancer syndrome is the genetic predisposition to develop prostate cancer. If any relative has had or has died from this type of cancer or any other, visit your doctor because it can appear at early ages, screening tests before having symptoms might change the course of cancer.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
• Abdominal and/or pelvic pain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Bloating
• Abdominal distension
• Irregular menses
• Change in bowel habit
In more advance stages, women can present:
• Ovarian or pelvic mass
• Ascites
• Pleural effusion
• Abdominal mass or bowel obstruction
Symptoms of ovarian cancer appear long time ago after the cancer began to grow, so visit your gynecologist is very important. These signs are nonspecific.
Ovarian cancer treatment
The treatment plan is done based on the stage of the disease, it is necessary to know how extended or spread the cancer is. In order to classify its stage the doctor must remove the ovarian cancer.
• Surgery: during this procedure many pieces form the abdominal cavity will be taken to perform a biopsy. While the surgery, a pathologist will examine the pieces and the doctor will decide depending on how spread it is if he/she should take one ovary or both and if it is necessary to also take the fallopian tubes and the uterus.
• Chemotherapy: it uses drugs to kill the cancer cells.
• Radiation: high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.
How can ovarian cancer be detected?
To detect ovarian cancer is a really difficult thing to do. Most of the cases are detected when cancer is already in advanced stages and survivors are not many. A physician palpitates the ovaries when he/she is examining the pelvis or the rectum during a regular gynecological examination.
If the physicians feels the presence of ovarian cysts or fibroid tumors, an ultrasound or a chest x-ray will be needed. In case the tests show any abnormality the next test is to perform a laparoscopy. Any of the aforementioned exams are completely reliable to screen for ovarian cancer and this is why it receives the nickname of "the silent killer".
What treatment increases the chances to become an ovarian cancer survival?
• Radiation Therapy: often used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Radiation is administered from a machine(external); or when radioactive "seeds" are implanted inside the body(internal).
• Chemotherapy: uses a strong anti-cancer drugs. Sometimes the patient remains in the hospital for the treatment. Side effects are hair loss, poor appetite, nausea, and bruising. They tend to disappear after treatment.
• Surgery: The surgery is made to remove one or both ovaries. Sometimes more organs need to be removed. Depending on the surgery method, recovery will vary.
Symptoms of cancer are the most evident signs of ovarian cancer, however these signs appear very late. Visit your gynecologist every year, your physician is your best ally. Ask about your family's cancer history and control your health condition if you suffer from ovarian cancer syndrome.