Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a disease characterized by the abnormal growth of cells in the ovaries, the internal reproductive organs that produce the ova, or egg cells, in women. Most ovarian cancers begin in the outer layer of the ovaries, although some cancers develop from the connective tissue that holds the ovary together or from the cells that serve as precursors for eggs.

Ovarian cancer does not appear to arise directly from inherited genetic mutations, though certain specific acquired mutations in several genes have been linked to the disease. In addition, various nongenetic factors have been identified that increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer. The most commonly identified factor is long-term exposure to elevated estrogen levels; other factors include early age of first menstruation (prior to 12 years), late onset of menopause (after age 52), and absence of pregnancy. The presence of specific mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 also increases a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer, as does the use of fertility drugs or a personal history of breast cancer.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer often do not appear until the cancer has progressed to advanced stages. These symptoms may include abdominal swelling, pelvic pressure, gas, bloating, stomach or leg pain, or unusual vaginal bleeding.

Diagnosis of ovarian cancer begins with a thorough physical examination, including a pelvic exam. On rare occasions a Pap smear may detect an early ovarian tumour, but this test is far more accurate at detecting early cervical cancers. A blood test for a molecule called CA-125 may also be used to detect cancer, but several different cancers and other less-serious disorders can also cause elevated CA-125 levels. Ovarian tumours may be detected by means of imaging procedures such as traditional X rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound, but only a biopsy can ascertain diagnosis.

Once ovarian cancer has been diagnosed, its stage is determined. The stage is an indicator of how far the cancer has progressed. Stage I cancers are confined within one or both ovaries, whereas stage II ovarian cancer has spread to nearby organs such as the oviducts (fallopian tubes), uterus, bladder, colon, or rectum. Stage III cancers have metastasized farther, either to the abdominal lining or to nearby lymph nodes. Stage IV cancers have spread to distant organs.

The five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is extremely high when the cancer is diagnosed and treated early, and patients who reach this point often go on to live long, healthy lives. However, the rate for all stages combined is under 50 percent, and stage IV ovarian cancer has a very low long-term rate of survival.

Surgery is an effective treatment for most ovarian cancers. Removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) is the most common surgical procedure. The fallopian tubes may also be removed if necessary. Some cases require a simple hysterectomy to remove the uterus and cervix, while others require a radical hysterectomy to also remove the underlying connective tissue (parametrium) and ligaments along with the upper portion of the vagina. Lymph nodes may also be removed during surgery. Surgical removal of the ovaries is a serious surgery that, in addition to resulting in infertility, will also cause women immediately to go into menopause. This is not a problem in many cases, however, as ovarian cancer usually strikes after menopause.

Radiation therapy is rarely the primary treatment for ovarian cancer, although it is sometimes used in conjunction with surgery. External beam radiation resembles traditional X rays in that the radiation is directed from outside the body toward an internal target tissue. Implanted radioactive rods or pellets may also be used to focus the radiation on the cancer and greatly reduce side effects. Side effects of pelvic radiation therapy may include diarrhea, fatigue, skin irritation, premature menopause, bladder irritation, or a narrowing of the vagina due to the buildup of scar tissue.

Radiation therapy is rarely the primary treatment for ovarian cancer, although it is sometimes used in conjunction with surgery. External beam radiation resembles traditional X rays in that the radiation is directed from outside the body toward an internal target tissue. Implanted radioactive rods or pellets may also be used to focus the radiation on the cancer and greatly reduce side effects. Side effects of pelvic radiation therapy may include diarrhea, fatigue, skin irritation, premature menopause, bladder irritation, or a narrowing of the vagina due to the buildup of scar tissue.

Women who take oral contraceptives (birth control pills) over the long term are at a decreased risk of developing ovarian cancer, as are women who have had a hysterectomy or tubal ligation following pregnancy. Pregnancy itself also decreases ovarian cancer risk, as does breast feeding. Women who are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer can also be screened for known mutations in their BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The presence of these mutations indicates a higher-than-normal probability that a woman will develop ovarian or breast cancer. In such cases, regular screening by sonography or CA-125 testing may be in order so that developing cancers can be caught at an early stage.