Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary that is a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed. This reproductive glands in women become adversely affected by the cancerous cell appeared in the ovary. The each side of the uterus keeps one ovary in the pelvis. It does not only play a vital role in development of a fetus but it is also the key source of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Cancer takes place in the ovary when abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells takes place in the form of tumors and it start growing in the ovaries. Unlike any other cancer, ovarian cancer has also benign and malignant tumors. Benign tumors that are not cancerous can be treated effectively by removing either the ovary or the part of the ovary that contains the tumor. The malignant (cancerous) ovarian tumors can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, so it can be more dangerous and life threatening and treatment is also more complex.

The causes which may increase the risk and threat of kidney cancer are- Infertile women (i.e. women who cannot conceive despite trying for several years), family history of ovarian cancer, longtime use of the infertility drug, using talcum powder, or being obese, clomiphene citrate, without getting pregnant, a diet high in animal fats. Symptoms that occurs in later stage of ovarian cancer are- pain in the abdomen, swelling in the lower abdomen, a feeling of being bloated, fatigue, weight loss, problems with urination, Nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation, or diarrhea, feeling very tired all the time, Shortness of breath, unusual vaginal bleeding, urinary urgency, loss of appetite or quickly feeling full and pain during intercourse (dyspareunia). These symptoms are not a clear cut sign of ovary cancer rather it can be appear due to any other physical abnormalities. But it can alert you to diagnose as early as possible.

According to the nature of cancerous cells, ovarian cancer is categorized in three types which are- Epithelial ovarian cancer, Germ cell ovarian cancer and Stromal ovarian cancer. Epithelial ovarian cancer usually occurs in older women and it grows in the epithelial cells that lie it comes from cells that lie on the surface of the ovary. The second one (i.e. Germ cell ovarian cancer) usually occurs in younger women and it develops in the ovarian cells that produce eggs. Stromal ovarian cancer appears in the cells of ovaries that produce hormone.

Like all other cancers, treatment of ovarian cancer also begins after the clear cut diagnosis. The nature of treatment depends on diagnosis results and the nature of the cell types. After the diagnosis one or more than one treatment options are provided by the doctor as per the suitability. The major techniques which are performed for the treatment of ovarian cancer are -surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and follow-up testing. The best most popular among them are surgery.

Treatment does not only prevent the abnormal growth of cells rather it removes the cancerous part of the ovary. Ultimately patient gets a normal healthy life after the treatment.