Ovarian Cancer

Ovarion Cancer

by Neal Machuca

Ovarion Cancer

​Description

• Grows and spreads rapidly

• ​In early stages, generally asymptomatic.

• ​Most women diagnosed in advanced stages.

• ​As a result, ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate of any female reproductive cancer

​Risk Factors

• Although the cause is unknown​, several risk factors have been identified, such as:

• ​Family history

• ​Advanced age

• ​Infertility

• ​Obesity

• ​Mutation of the BRCA genes

• ​Ovarian Dysfunction

​Characteristics

• ​Metastasis happens in the following ways...

• ​Directly to organs in the pelvis

• ​Distally via lymphatic drainage

• ​Or by peritoneal seeding

• ​Affects white women between 55-65 of European descent at the greatest rate

​Assessment

• ​Abdominal discomfort or swelling

• ​GI disturbances

• ​Vaginal bleeding

• ​Abdominal mass

• ​Elevated tumor marker

Diagnosis​

• ​There is no specific screening test for Ovarian Cancer.

• ​CA-125 is a tumor marker for Ovarian cancer but there are many false-positives.

• An exploratory laparotomy done to diagnose and stage

• ​A transvaginal ultrasound can be performed but will not provide a definitive diagnosis

​Stages

• I- Confined to one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes

• ​II- Spread to other areas within the pelvic area

• III- Spread to abdomen or lymph nodes within the abdomen. (Most common stage of diagnosis).

• IV- Spread to organs beyond the abdomen.

​Treatment

​Treatment varies depending on the extent, stage of the disease, and condition of the patient.

-Stage I: Most often a total hysterectomy is performed to remove as much of the tumor as possible a process also known as tumor debulking. Chemotherapy or radiation implants often also included.

​- Stage II: External (teletherapy) or internal (brachytherapy) radiation or systemic chemotherapy after tumor has been removed.

-​Stages III-IV: Usually treated with Chemotherapy

Multiple Choice

All of the following are risk factors for ovarian cancer except...

• Family History

• Infertility

• Advanced age

• Smoking

• Obesity