Ovarian Cancer: A Difficult Diagnosis
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer affecting women and one of the most difficult to diagnose. Because symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and often change over time, it can be hard to know when you should seek medical help.
Risk Factors and Genetic Mutations
Your personal risk of ovarian cancer depends on many factors, including age and family history. Having a close relative (particularly a mother or sister) with ovarian cancer increases your risk of developing the disease yourself.
Genetic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can also significantly increase a woman's risk of ovarian cancer. These mutations are more likely to occur in older women, although some younger women can get them too.
Having multiple ovaries may also increase your risk of ovarian cancer, as are certain medical conditions that affect the reproductive system. These include polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis, among others.
Recognizing the Early Signs
The early signs of ovarian cancer are usually pain in the pelvic region or abdominal area. They can also include changes in your eating habits, getting full early or losing your appetite. A vaginal discharge or abnormal bleeding outside of your menstrual cycle or after you've gone through menopause can also be a sign.
Diagnostic Tests and Treatment Options
You can ask your doctor to run blood tests to check for cancer markers, such as CA125. These tests are sometimes used in conjunction with a CT scan or MRI to assess the size of your ovaries and any other areas affected by the cancer.
A doctor can also perform surgery to remove parts of your ovaries and the fallopian tubes, or other organs that may be affected. This can be a life-saving treatment if it is caught in the early stages. For some people, this is the only way to cure their ovarian cancer.
Preserving Fertility and Pregnancy Options
If you do have ovarian cancer, it is important to discuss the possibility of becoming pregnant with your partner or through a surrogate (someone who has your genes) at an early stage. In some cases, surgery can help preserve your fertility and allow you to conceive children through your own eggs or with donated eggs.
In other cases, you may need to have a fertility treatment before you can become pregnant, such as with a sterile egg implant or frozen embryos. If this is the case, you should have it performed as soon as possible and before your ovaries begin to bleed or become cancerous.
Debulking Surgery and Chemotherapy
Your surgeon will try to remove all of the tumor in your ovaries, as well as any nearby structures. This is called debulking surgery, and the goal is to leave no more than 1 cm of tumor behind.
The surgery can be painful, but it may also be a life-saving procedure for some people. In most cases, the ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed along with any surrounding fatty tissue (called omentum) that is growing around the tumor.
After surgery, you may need to have chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that destroys the cancer cells while leaving healthy ones intact. It is usually given in a series of several sessions (3-6 cycles). Most commonly, carboplatin and paclitaxel are used. Other types of drugs are sometimes used, too.
