Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women and therefore requires special attention. Early diagnosis is essential: the earlier the detection, the higher the chance of successful treatment. After the treatment to remove the tumor masses, periodic check-ups will be necessary in order to control and avoid the possible appearance of new tumors.
Early detection of ovarian cancer
There is currently no test for the early detection of ovarian cancer, as is the case with breast cancer, by mammography. Therefore, early detection involves consulting a specialist without delay when symptoms appear that could lead to the suspicion of an ovarian tumor.
There are three symptoms that deserve special medical attention if they persist for a few weeks and have no apparent explanation:
- increase in abdominal girth
- changes in bowel rhythm (tendency to constipation or diarrhea)
- heavy digestions
As these symptoms are due to digestive disorders, the patient should see a specialist in digestive system. If no digestive pathology is detected in the examination to explain these symptoms, an urgent consultation with a gynecologist will be necessary to check whether or not it is due to ovarian cancer. The earlier ovarian cancer is detected, the higher the probability of successful treatment.
Women who have a diverse history of breast or ovarian cancer in first or second degree relatives (mother, sisters, daughters, grandmothers and aunts), may benefit from a consultation with the Genetic Counseling Unit, to assess whether there is an elevated risk of ovarian cancer and thus decide with the specialists what measures can be addressed to reduce the risk.
Rapid diagnosis of ovarian cancer
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer begins with an abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound scan to visualize the ovaries and to observe the possible appearance of a suspicious tumor mass.
A blood test also provides additional information, as it shows whether there are any altered parameters indicating the presence of a tumor.
In cases where the ultrasound and blood tests confirm the suspicion of cancer, it is necessary to perform a biopsy, which consists of extracting a sample of cells from the possible tumor for analysis. This biopsy, which is performed laparoscopically, will confirm or rule out the presence of ovarian cancer.
The rapid diagnostic circuit makes it possible to reduce the average time between the first consultation for suspected ovarian cancer and the start of treatment to one week.
Personalized treatment to treat and remove ovarian cancer
The treatment of ovarian cancer is based on the surgical removal of all tumor masses that may be present in the abdomen, accompanied, in most cases, by chemotherapy treatment that lasts four months.
The operation requires the removal of the ovaries:
- the ovaries
- the uterus
- pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes
- the omentum (accumulation of abdominal fat prone to harbor small tumor masses)
- any tumor implants that may be present in the peritoneum.
It is a complex surgery with an average duration of six hours, so it has to be carried out by a surgeon specialized in medical oncology and in this type of intervention.
Once the treatment has been completed, the patient’s progress is monitored by means of periodic oncological check-ups: every three months during the first three years and every six months during the fourth and fifth years. These check-ups include a diagnostic imaging test of the pelvic and abdominal area, as well as an exhaustive blood test to verify that no new tumors have appeared.
It should be noted that oncological check-ups should be complemented with gynecological check-ups every six months during the first five years by a gynecologist specialized in oncology to explore the affected area.