Ovarian cancer: know the risks and symptoms of the disease

The oncologist Dr. Marcela Bonalumi explains the causes, diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer

OR Ovarian cancer It is the seventh most common and ninth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The National Cancer Institute (INCA) estimates that between 2023 and 2025, 7,310 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed per year.

If not treated at an early stage, ovarian cancer it can progress rapidly and is usually asymptomatic. However, the signs of the disease are quite subtle, which can make diagnosis difficult.

“Cancers have a higher incidence in women over 50. In the vast majority of cases it is not possible to identify in advance the risk factors that make this type of tumor aggressive”, explains Dr. Marcela Bonalumi, oncologist at US Oncoclínicas St. Paul.

Types of ovarian cancer

There are approximately 30 different types of ovarian cancer. The doctor explains that most cases come from epithelial cells that line the ovary. The rest are tumors of the germ cells and stromal cells, which produce a large percentage of female hormones.

It’s also worth mentioning that ovarian cancer is the second most common type of gynecological cancer in women, behind only cervical cancer. The three main groups of neoplasms are:

• Epithelial ovarian cancer: Most common subtype, arises from the epithelium. Included in this group are fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer;
• Ovarian germ cell carcinoma: It originates in the reproductive or germ cells of the ovaries, which give rise to ovules;
• Ovarian stromal cell carcinoma: Formed in connective tissue cells.

There is also hypercalcemic small cell carcinoma of the ovary, which does not fall into the three groups above and is extremely rare. It has not yet been identified in which cell type it originates.

Causes of the disease

Ovarian cancer does not have a specific cause, however there are some risk factors that can contribute to the onset of the disease, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and endometriosis.

According to the doctor, women over 50 are more likely to develop the disease. Ovarian cancer is also related to hormonal factors, family history, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and reproductive factors.

Symptoms and signs

Ovarian cancer is a silent disease and in its early stages does not present specific symptoms. As the tumor grows, it can cause:

• Swelling in the abdomen;
• Abdominal pain;
• Pain in the pelvic region, back or legs;
• Nausea;
• Indigestion;
• Gas;
• Abnormal bowel function (constipation or diarrhea);
• Constant fatigue;
• Loss of appetite and weight for no apparent reason;
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause;
• Increased frequency and/or urgency of urination.

Diagnosis

Unfortunately, to date there is no specific test capable of detecting ovarian cancer, as well as the Pap test for cervical cancer or the mammography for breast cancer.

“The symptoms of neoplasia can easily be confused with other diseases. Therefore, if any appear, it is very important to contact your doctor as soon as possible,” warns Marcela.

From this, the doctor may order clinical gynecological, laboratory and imaging tests to identify the presence of ascites or fluid accumulation, as well as the extent of the disease in women with suspected intra-abdominal spread.

Treatment

Although ovarian cancer is the gynecological cancer with the highest mortality rate in the world, if diagnosed early, the chances of recovery can increase. The doctor explains that the treatment will depend on the type of stage of the ovarian cancer.

“Also, the patient’s wishes must be taken into account, i.e. whether there is a desire to have children. From this moment on, surgery is the main treatment, but it can mean unilateral or bilateral removal of the ovaries,” he explains …

Therefore, the oncologist recommends always making the decision together with the doctor. “The best method is the one that aims to save the patient’s life, but without losing sight of future dreams. However, we must adopt a personalized approach for each case, thinking not only about physical issues, but also emotional ones” , concludes Marcela.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.