Preventing Ovarian Cancer: Should Women Consider Removing Fallopian Tubes?
It's easier to treat ovarian cancer when it is diagnosed in its early stages, but it's not easy to detect its early signs and symptoms.
Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor, of any histology, on or within an ovary. Because many ovarian tumors are benign but have the potential to become malignant, a broad definition of ovarian cancer includes all ovarian tumors, malignant and benign. Ovarian cancer is classified according to the histology of the tumor, obtained in a pathology report. Histology dictates many aspects of clinical treatment, management, and prognosis.
Ovarian cancer is a term used to represent a group of tumors that arise from different tissues within the ovaries (A female reproductive organ in which ova or eggs are produced). Though most cases are benign (less dangerous form which doesn't spread), some of them may be malignant (spreading to other parts of the body).
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Although experts have not been able to identify what causes ovarian cancer, there are some factors that may put one person at a higher risk of developing the condition:
Traditionally, it was believed that ovarian cancer showed no symptoms until it has affected other organ systems; however in June 2007 the American Cancer Society released a list of possible early symptoms of ovarian cancer. The symptoms include:
There are no definitive screening tests for ovarian cancer, but there are ways that the condition can be diagnosed. If your doctor suspects that you might have the condition he/she is likely to perform the following tests:
If a woman is found to have ovarian cancer, the doctor usually uses a biopsy sample to determine the stage of the cancer and how far the cancer has spread. The stage of the cancer is determined by the following markers:
Stage I: When the cancer is confined to one or both the ovaries.
Stage II: If one or both ovaries are involved with spread to the uterus and/or the fallopian tubes or other places in the pelvis.
Stage III: If one or both the ovaries are involved and the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other sites within the abdomen.
Stage IV: If both the ovaries are involved and if the cancer has spread to organs outside the abdomen or the liver.
The treatment of ovarian cancer depends on the stage of the cancer, the type of cells involved, overall health and the age of the patient. There are mainly three types of treatment options for ovarian cancer and they may be used in combination:
It's easier to treat ovarian cancer when it is diagnosed in its early stages, but it's not easy to detect its early signs and symptoms.
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Because it is challenging to diagnose ovarian cancer, many women come in the late stage that is III or IV and thus the survival rate goes down, says expert.
Because of lack of awareness about ovarian cancer and myths surrounding it, many women with this cancer remain undiagnosed, leading to the progression of the disease.
Often the early symptoms of ovarian cancer are overlooked because they're similar to signs of many other conditions that are not cancer.
Early-stage ovarian cancer often goes undetected as it causes no symptoms or just mild symptoms until it has spread to the pelvis and abdomen. Here are some signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer women should watch out for to start treatment early.
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Good news for women. Researchers have developed a new test to diagnose ovarian cancer. This can help in earlier detection and treatment and prevent many unnecessary surgeries.
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Factors like obesity and irregular menstrual cycle among others have been found in most patients with ovarian cancer. They are considered as high risk factors for this condition. On this World Ovarian Cancer Day, read on to know more about the risk factors.
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It's easier to treat ovarian cancer when it is diagnosed in its early stages, but it's not easy to detect its early signs and symptoms.
The feeling of never being able to bear another life might devastate them at a psychological level
Understanding how ovarian cancer cells hide from the body's immune system will help in developing more effective immunotherapies, say researchers.
A 43-year-old woman was diagnosed with an ovarian tumour without showing any symptoms of the disease. Read on to know more about the case.
About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary. Read on to know more about Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome.
Because it is challenging to diagnose ovarian cancer, many women come in the late stage that is III or IV and thus the survival rate goes down, says expert.
Because of lack of awareness about ovarian cancer and myths surrounding it, many women with this cancer remain undiagnosed, leading to the progression of the disease.
Often the early symptoms of ovarian cancer are overlooked because they're similar to signs of many other conditions that are not cancer.
Early-stage ovarian cancer often goes undetected as it causes no symptoms or just mild symptoms until it has spread to the pelvis and abdomen. Here are some signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer women should watch out for to start treatment early.
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Today, health tips from us will show you how you can bring down your risk of this disease.
Do you experience abdominal bloating and missed period? It could be something you ate or too much stress. But it could also mean some serious disorder.
Good news for women. Researchers have developed a new test to diagnose ovarian cancer. This can help in earlier detection and treatment and prevent many unnecessary surgeries.
Scientists have come up with a new therapy to fight ovarian cancer cells.
Factors like obesity and irregular menstrual cycle among others have been found in most patients with ovarian cancer. They are considered as high risk factors for this condition. On this World Ovarian Cancer Day, read on to know more about the risk factors.
A new study states that the diagnosis of cancer and diabetes in women takes longer compared to men. Here are ways to diagnose these two conditions early in women.
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