Ovarian cancer

  • Ovarian Cancer
    Ovarian cancer is cancer that develops in one or both the ovaries. It can then spread to other parts of the body. The annual incidence of ovarian cancer globally is 204,000. It has a high fatality rate as more than 70% are diagnosed at an advanced stage.  
Submitted by Content Loader on 17 December 2014

What is ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is cancer that develops in one or both the ovaries. It can then spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer in the ovaries can also be a secondary cancer, the result of metastasis from a primary cancer elsewhere in the body. 7% of ovarian cancers are due to metastases while the rest are primary cancers that occur in the ovaries itself. Cancer occurring primarily in breast or in gastrointestintinal tract most often tend to metastasise to the ovaries.

Ovarian cancer is the 18th most common cancer in the world. The annual incidence of ovarian cancer globally in 2018 was nearly 300,000. It has a high fatality rate as more than 70% are diagnosed at an advanced stage. In India, it is emerging as one of the most common malignancies affecting women (Changing trends in incidence of ovarian cancer - the Indian scenario). During the last decade, proportion of ovarian cancer varied from 1.7% to 8.7% (According to National Cancer Registry Programme, 2008).

Community
Cancer
Condition
Ovarian Cancer

Stories

  • 10 Facts You Should Know About Ovarian Cancer
    World Ovarian Cancer Day Nearly 70 % of ovarian cancers are not discovered until they have reached an advanced stage III or later when it is more difficult to treat and can be fatal. Dr Kiran Coelho, gynaecologist and obstetrician, counsels women, particularly those at high-risk, to undergo regular ovarian cancer screening to be safe. 1. What is the rate of incidence of ovarian cancer among Indian women? The incidence of ovarian cancer has shown an increasing trend in India in the last 20 years…
  • My Ovarian Cancer Journey
    Sixty-five year old Saroj Arya recounts her triumph over Stage III ovarian cancer and says she pumped every cell in her body with positive energy and spirit to help her heal and get back on her feet speedily. In 2016, at 65, a strange turn of events caught me off guard. I was due for a knee surgery as I had osteoarthritis and was in constant pain. I had confirmed the day for the surgery with the doctor. But last minute I got it cancelled. At that time my bladder was acting up. I would get an…
  • Effect of Smoking on Fertility: Everything you wanted to know
    Smoking is known to cause and effect many systems in our body with adverse consequences, but how does it affect fertility in women? Dr Sarita Bhalerao, an established OBGYN from Mumbai helps us understand the subject in more detail. 1. Is smoking a growing concern for infertility in women? Smoking and consumption of tobacco have in general been a growing concern for women all over the world. It is a major health problem affecting developing countries especially amongst the youth…
  • Management of Ovarian Cancer
    Apart from the medical options for treatment of Ovarian Cancer, it is also recommended that lifestyle changes be made to strengthen your immune system and manage your health: Diet  Patients who consume more fruits, vegetables and whole grains strengthen their immune system, which helps to fight against disease.  Include the following cancer-fighting foods in your diet: Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and dark leafy vegetables Organic fruits, which are least exposed to…
  • Ovarian Cancer Prevention
    Can ovarian cancer be prevented? Since the causes of ovarian cancer are not known, it is not possible to say what can be done to prevent ovarian cancer. You can lower the risk of ovarian factor if you: Use of oral contraceptives. Taking  birth control pills for more than 3 years lowers risk by 30 to 50%. Early first pregnancy and late last pregnancy. Full term pregnancies are more beneficial. Breast fed. The longer you breastfeed, the lower the risk. Had ovaries and fallopian…
  • Ovarian Cancer Treatment
    Treatment of Ovarian Cancer usually involves chemotherapy and surgery, and sometimes radiotherapy. Surgery is the the first recommended option during the initial stage when the size of the tumour is small. The surgery may include removal of one (unilateral oophorectomy) or both ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy), the fallopian tubes (salpingectomy), and the uterus (hysterectomy). If the cancer has spread to other organ such as the digestive tract, bladder, spleen etc, removal of those parts may…
  • Ovarian Cancer Tests and Diagnosis
    What tests do you need for Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian cancer at its early stages (I/II) is difficult to diagnose until it spreads and advances to later stages (III/IV). This is because most symptoms are non-specific and thus of little use in diagnosis. You doctor may do some of the following: Physical examination (including a pelvic, vaginal, rectal examination). For young patients, an MRI is preferred  Transvaginal ultrasound Blood test (complete blood count, serum electrolyte test) CT or…
  • Ovarian Cancer Signs and Symptoms
    Often there are few signs and symptoms in the early stages, which is why ovarian cancer is often detected late. In most cases, the symptoms persist for several months before being recognised and diagnosed.            These are some of the more common symptoms of Ovarian Cancer: Bloating – the abdomen feels tight, full, or with an abdominal mass Abdominal or pelvic pain Difficulty eating Urinary symptoms Constipation Abnormal vaginal bleeding Rectal bleeding…
  • Ovarian Cancer Classification and Stages
    Ovarian cancer is classified according to the histology of the tumour, obtained in a pathology report. Histology staging and grading dictates the aspects of clinical treatment, management and prognosis for each patient:    Surface epithelial-stromal tumour, also known as ovarian epithelial carcinoma, is the most common type of ovarian cancer that arises from the cells covering the surface of the ovary. Sex cord-stromal tumours are benign or malignant tumours in cells that surround…
  • Causes of Ovarian Cancer and Risk Factors
    We do not yet know what causes Ovarian Cancer. But we do what increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer. You are at higher risk of developing ovarian cancer if: You are over 55; the average age at diagnosis is found to be 63 You have a family history (risk is higher for 1st degree relatives) You have BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation You have a history of breast, uterine or colorectal cancer You have a genetic link to Lynch syndrome You started menstruating before 12 yrs of age You have…

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