Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs. It is the fifth most common cancer among women and causes more deaths than other tumors of the reproductive system. Its cause is unknown and the symptoms are not very clear until the cancer is advanced.
Ovarian cancer, symptoms
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are torpid, difficult to recognize as its own entity. The lack of specificity of these symptoms means that on numerous occasions the diagnosis of the disease is made in advanced stages. We speak of non-specific abdominal pain, digestion disorders, with dyspepsia, nausea, sometimes a tendency to constipation or a permanent feeling of fullness.
Ovarian cancer, causes
The ultimate causes of ovarian cancer are currently unknown. Some risk factors have been detected which, in any case, are common to some other tumors:
- Genetic basis, with the presence of certain mutations and familial aggregation around other tumors such as breast or colon.
- Not having children
- Obesity
- Postmenopausal women.
It is uncommon in women under 40 years of age. There are also known factors that protect or prevent ovarian cancer. Having several children and taking birth control pills decrease the risk of this disease. The annual check-up with the gynecologist should be non-negotiable and should always include an ultrasound.
Ovarian cancer, treatment
The treatment of ovarian cancer is mainly surgery. This is used to treat all stages of the cancer. These surgeries are usually very complex and may involve the removal of the entire reproductive system or parts of it such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus or other parts of the abdomen. Surgery will be accompanied by chemotherapy in most cases.
Evolution of ovarian cancer
The evolution of ovarian cancer, survival, can be very good if two factors are met: optimal surgery and tumor sensitive to chemotherapy.