Quick Facts: Ovarian Cancer

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer in women. The ovaries, located in the lower abdomen/pelvic area, are part of female reproductive organs. In ovarian cancer, cancerous tumors form in the inner tissues or outer lining of either ovary. There are tree types of ovarian cancer.

• Epithelial Carcinoma starts in the cells that form the lining of the ovaries called epithelial cells. It is the most common type of ovarian cancer.
  
• Germ Cell Carcinoma begins in the cells that become egg cells and are released each month during menstruation.
  
• Stromal Cell Cancer begins in tissues that make-up ovaries.
  

Who gets Ovarian Cancer?

Only women can develop ovarian cancer, since men don't have ovaries. Ovarian cancer is less common than other female reproductive cancers, such as breast and cervical, with an overall risk for women of 1 in 70. Risk factors include:

• Age: Most cases occur in women between 40 and 70.
  
• Family History: Women with =2 immediate relatives (sister, mother) with reproductive cancers excluding cervical cancer.
  
• Personal History of Reproductive Cancers
  
• High-fat Diet
  
• Ethnicity: Caucasians and Hawaiians
  
• Menstrual Cycles: Having your first period before age 12 and/or starting menopause after age 50.
  

The more times a woman is pregnant lowers risk, and using birth control pills for =5 years lowers risk.

Prevention

• See your gynecologist & have yearly pelvic exams
  
• Exercise
  
• Eat a low-fat Diet
  
• Don't smoke
  
• High-risk women can have surgery (removal of 1 or both ovaries, uterus, and/or fallopian tubes) to reduce risk.. Another option is tubal ligation (tying off fallopian tubes), but it's unclear if this reduces risk for high-risk patients.
  

How is it detected?

Ovarian cancer has few symptoms, so most cases are diagnosed at late stages. The following symptoms are linked to ovarian cancer, but experiencing them doesn't mean that you have it.

• Abnormal bloating and discomfort
  
• Loss of appetite/sudden weight loss
  
• Feelings of fullness even after light meals
  
• Shortness of breath caused by fluid in lungs
  
• Diarrhea or alternatively constipation
  
• Frequent urination
  
• Indigestion and nausea
  

There is no uniformly accepted screening test for ovarian cancer because the ovaries are hard to examine. Doctors perform several tests in combination to diagnose ovarian cancer.

• Pelvic exam: Doctor presses on the abdomen, vagina and rectum to find abnormal masses.
  
• Transvaginal Ultrasound: Doctor examines an image produced by sound waves that is created from a probe inserted into the vagina.
  
• CT/CAT Scan: Doctors use x-ray image to examine “slices” of abdomen.
  
• Culdocentesis: Doctor collects sample of fluid from pelvis with a needle through the vaginal wall and tests it for cancer cells.
  
• Color-Flow Doppler: Ultrasound test for increased blood flow to arteries.
  
• CA-125 Blood Test: High blood levels of protein hormone CA-125 can indicate cancer. Effectiveness of this test is under study.
  
• Biopsy: Examine ovary and abdomen tissue samples for cancer cells. Only definite way to diagnose ovarian cancer.
  

Additionally, use tests to determine if cancer has spread to other organs of the body:

• Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP): A dye makes the kidneys and ureters visible on x-ray.
  
• Lower GI Series: A woman drinks barium solution that makes abnormalities visible on x-rays.
  
• MRI: Magnetic fields create images of inner organs.
  

What if I am diagnosed?

The 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is 95% IF DETECTED EARLY. However, most cases diagnosed after the cancer spreads are deadly. Ovarian cancer is usually treated with surgery and chemotherapy or radiation.

• Surgery removes the ovaries and reproductive organs to which cancer has spread.
  
• Chemotherapy kills cancer cells with drugs.
  
• Radiation kills cancer cells with x-rays.
  
• Clinical trials offer experimental treatments that may improve chances of survival. Consult your physician or call the Rhode Island Cancer Council for more information.
  

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