Posts Tagged ‘Cancer Of The Ovary’

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

Comments: 0December 31st, 2010 by admin



Cancer of the ovary, a disease affecting one of both of the ovaries, is one of the most serious and under-recognized ailments affecting women. In United States, it is considered as the fifth among the most fatal gynecologic cancers (affecting the female reproductive organs). It is said that in every 57 women, one may be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and almost half of those women diagnosed with the said cancer may die in a span of five years.

Ovarian Cancer: Overview

Ovarian cancer is characterized by the malignant growth of one or of the two ovaries. The cells in the ovary multiply progressively and abnormally to the point that they can no longer be controlled. As a result, excessive tissues start to form tumors, which may be benign or malignant. The malignant ones are those that cause cancer.

The growth of the tumor may not necessarily start from the ovary or the ovaries, but may have spread to the ovary from other parts of the body, oftentimes the breast. The malignant tumor in the ovary may likewise spread to other parts of the body. The most common cases of ovarian cancer arise from epithelial cancer, which affect the epithelial cells (cells found in the tissues covering surfaces of the ovary).

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

It is important for women to be aware of the nature and symptoms of ovarian cancer as this deadly cancer can affect women of any age. However, women face higher risk of ovarian cancer as she gets older, particularly after she reaches the age of fifty.

Most of the time, the symptoms of ovarian cancer do not show up until the cancer is widespread or in its advanced stage. This makes a woman at higher risk since it can be too late before she may be able to detect symptoms of ovarian cancer. Moreover, there are only very few symptoms of the cancer, which may be mistaken as symptoms of other health conditions.

The very first symptom of ovarian cancer is vague abdominal discomfort and bloating, which is caused by the excess fluid in the abdominal cavity. One always feels full even when she has not eaten much. As time passes by the swelling of the abdomen intensifies that some of your clothes may no longer fit you. Usually, it is because of this unusual swelling (way different from a woman’s monthly water retention) that most women go to the doctor for check up.

Bloating is accompanied by digestive disturbances, unexplained changes in the bowel habits and urinary patterns. There are frequent trips to the bathroom even in the absence of a urinary tract infection or other health problems. One may feel nauseous, very tired and she may feel like vomiting at times. She may also feel discomfort and pain during an intercourse.

Pain and swelling in the pelvic area is also noticeable upon closer physical examination. This is due to the swelling in the pelvis. In very rare instances, a woman in her postmenopausal stage experiences abnormal bleeding.

Other vague and non-specific symptoms of ovarian cancer include back and leg pain, loss of appetite, undernourished appearance, weight gain or weigh loss, and unusual bleeding in the vagina (heavier and longer than the usual menstrual bleeding).

Detecting Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Screening is a way to detect the symptoms of ovarian cancer. The earlier the patient is screened, the better so as to decrease the mortality and morbidity of ovarian cancer. One of the most effective ways to detect the cancer in its early stage is through pelvic and rectal exam.

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Ovarian Cancer – Early Symptoms?

Comments: 0November 29th, 2010 by admin



Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women. It has been known for a long time as the “silent killer”. It earned this name because of the supposed lack of symptoms when cancer of the ovary is in early stages, when it is still highly curable. Recent evidence suggests that early symptoms are often present but overlooked.

There are approximately 22,000 new cases, and over 15,000 deaths from ovarian cancer yearly. Most, but not all, cases of ovarian cancer occur in the post-menopausal years. In three out of four patients, cancer of the ovary is usually discovered during late stages when it has spread inside the abdomen to other organs. At that point, the cure rates are low. Symptoms may include abdominal bloating or pain, feeling full early, or pelvic pressure.

Unfortunately, early stage cancer may not cause many symptoms, or they may be vague and overlooked. Over the past five years, research has shown that some of these symptoms may actually occur earlier and are simply ignored by either the patient or the physician. The trouble is that these general symptoms are most often not related to cancer and are simply intestinal disturbances due to something you ate or a viral infection. If you have abdominal or pelvic symptoms that are new, seem unusual, persist for several weeks, or are worsening, tell your doctor. This is especially important if you have a family history of cancer, especially breast or ovarian cancer.

What happens after you talk with and are examined by your doctor depends upon what is found and your age. It may be necessary to undergo ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) or other imaging studies as well as the CA-125 blood test.

Unfortunately good screening tools are lacking, but the next best thing is early diagnosis. Knowing your body and answering its call to action is very important. Equally important is to insist that your symptoms are explained fully by appropriate examination and testing. If not, it may be time for a second opinion with a gynecologist or gynecologic oncologist.

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Cancer of the Ovary and HE4 – A Promising Screening Test

Comments: 0June 15th, 2010 by admin



Four years ago, Seattle researchers identified a protein, known as Human Epididymis Protein 4 (HE4), as being highly effective in distinguishing cancer of the ovary from benign ovarian masses and cysts. Since then additional studies have supported these initial findings, including one just published in the December 2007 edition of the journal Gynecologic Oncology.

The only commercially available test to date, that also detects proteins elaborated by ovarian cancer, is CA-125. It is most useful for following patients with known ovarian cancer, to assess how well patients are responding to treatment and to detect recurrence after treatment. The problem with CA125 as a screening test is that is it very often elevated in the presence of normal ovaries or benign ovarian cysts and tumors. In addition, CA125 is not elevated very often in early cancer of the ovary, when it is still highly curable. These two issues, render it almost useless for screening.

Just like CA125, HE4 protein breaks free from ovarian cancer cells and finds itself into the bloodstream where it can be detected. The HE4 test, which is patented by Japanese based Fujirebio Diagnostics Inc., is inching closer to FDA approval. Because expression of HE4 by normal ovarian tissue or benign ovarian masses is very low, it has far better potential as a screening test than CA125.

The latest study, headed by Dr. RG Moore, showed that HE4 was the single best marker for Stage I, or early, cancer of the ovary. An additional finding in the study was that combining HE4 and CA125 was better. Statistical analysis showed that this combination had a 76.4% sensitivity and 95% specificity, making the combination more accurate than either test alone.

HE4 is not the only bio-marker that is being investigated as an ovarian cancer screening tool. More than 30 others have been evaluated alone and in combination with CA125 by different investigators. Some of the most promising include: mesothelin, M-CSF, osteopontin, kallikrein(s), and soluble EGF receptor. Keep an eye out for all of these in upcoming breaking news. It is highly likely that we will have an effective screening tool combination for the ovarian cancer, widely known as the “silent killer”, within the next two to three years.

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Ovarian Cancer Survival – The Importance of Early Detection

Comments: 0November 2nd, 2009 by admin



Buried in the basin, the ovaries are difficult to examine. Thus, cancers affecting them are often discovered late. If improvements are to provide treatment, the prognosis remains closely linked to early care.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth largest female cancers in US, with 4, 000 new cases per year. But his prognosis remains very bleak as it is often discovered at a late stage. Panorama from an unknown disease.

Ovarian cancer is relatively uncommon. All too often discovered at a late stage, this cancer is difficult to treat. As it is detected late, ovarian cancer has a fairly bleak prognosis. Each year, 3 800 Americans die from that cancer. The survival rate of ovarian cancer is just over 30% in 5 years, while for breast cancer, it is about 75%.

Few women are genetically predisposed to ovarian cancer. Genetic factors were responsible for 5 to 10% of cancers of the ovary. Between 160 and 320 women are suffering from a hereditary cancer of the ovary annually. Family mutations of certain genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 rarely, are known to predispose strongly to this cancer, with an earlier age (before age 50). Alteration of these genes is also responsible for predisposition to breast cancer.

Without beneficiating from screening test, ovarian cancer has long been nicknamed the silent killer because symptoms are supposed to appear at an advanced stage of the disease. But the results of a recent study could detect that kind of cancer more quickly.

Early detection is an incredible challenge: 70 to 90% of women with ovarian cancer detected at a primary stage are still alive five years after diagnosis against only 20 to 30% of those whose cancer was diagnosed at an advanced stage. And unfortunately, the second scenario is more often met … Some figures show awareness of this scourge, female: 4 488 new cases and 3 508 deaths directly linked to the disease in the year 2006

Characteristic symptoms: Beware of the trio!

Researchers have followed 1 408 women who were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire about symptoms experienced with the previous year. Among the proposed events can include pelvic pain, abdominal, low back pain, the urge to urinate, constipation, weight loss, unexplained, and so on. The severity, duration and frequency of these signs were also informed. The same procedure was conducted on 128 women awaiting surgery for pelvic tumors, including ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is no longer the silent undetectable killer . Even women with cancer at preliminary stages have signs. Paying attention to certain symptoms (or rather their frequency or severity), it may be possible to react in time!

The diagnosis of ovarian cancer is based on clinical examination, gynecological and a determination of tumor marker, supplemented by medical imaging examinations, including pelvic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. But only the surgical exploration allows a complete diagnosis of the local extension of ovarian cancer.

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Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer and Different Tests That Can Be Carried Out

Comments: 0July 10th, 2009 by admin



Ovarian cancer is the basically the cancer of the ovary. This is a condition where you have the presence of cancerous cells at the ovary. The ovary is an ovum producing reproductive organ and is a part of the female reproductive system. The ovaries have the job of producing the eggs and female hormones in women. Symptoms of ovarian cancer can not be detected in the early stages.

However, in later stages of the disease, patients will manifest increases in the size of their abdomen, persistent urge to urinate and pain in the pelvis. Also, there will be difficulty in eating and a tendency of being full. Other symptoms of ovarian cancer are pain during sexual intercourse, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, menstrual irregularities, difficulty with breathing and pain at the back of the leg. A number of tests can carried out to determine the symptoms of ovarian cancer and these are a pelvic examination which is an examination of a woman’s internal and external organs to detect the presence of cancer or other abnormal growth.

This should include a rectovaginal examination which involves the insertion of the finger into the vagina and rectum to screen for abnormal growths. A transvaginal ultrasound test can also be carried out which is the use of sound waves to acquire images of the tissues and organs of the pelvis to detect cancerous growths, cysts and other abnormalities. Also a CA 125 blood test can be carried out to detect the level of antigen in the blood which is a tumor marker.

Majority of women with ovarian cancer have antigens in their blood in the later stages. It is advisable that if you suspect that you have any of the above symptoms of ovarian cancer, that you confirm what is actually wrong and take positive steps immediately.

I wish you well!

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