A cancer that begins in the female organs that produce eggs called ovaries. Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary begin to multiply out of control and form a tumor. If untreated, the tumor can spread to the other parts of the body. This is called metastatic ovarian cancer. There are two types of ovaries in female reproductive glands that produce ova & eggs. They also produce female hormones estrogen & progesterone. Even though it is difficult to detect in the early, there are early symptoms of ovarian cancer to look into for early detection and effective treatment. These symptoms caused by ovarian tumors may be confused with less serious & noncancerous conditions.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

It is easy to overlook the early symptoms of ovarian cancer because they are similar to other common illnesses. There are 5 common symptoms of ovarian cancer such as:

1) Abdominal Bloating:

Bloating is likely caused by Ascites. Ascites is when fluid builds up in your abdomen. It often forms when cancer cells spread to the peritoneum. Bloating is one of the first symptoms of ovarian cancer that you may notice.

It is normal to feel bloated, especially around your monthly cycle, consistent bloating that lasts every day for up to three weeks. It is continuously feeling bloated & it is one of the most common early signs of ovarian cancer.

2) Decreased Appetite or Difficulty Eating:

In addition to a loss of appetite, early symptoms of ovarian cancer include feeling full quickly and having difficulty finishing even small meals. It may not indicate trouble, prolonged appetite loss can be the reason for eating difficulty. If this is a common symptom of ovarian cancer.

3) Abdominal Pain or Pelvic Pain:

Some of the women may not have the early symptom of ovarian cancer. If they do, it may be some pain in the lower abdomen or side and a bloated or full feeling in the tummy. Some of the symptoms of later stage ovarian cancer include discomfort in the abdomen, such as bloating or a feeling of pressure. This Pain is spreading in the surrounding areas might also be the result of cancer.

4) Frequent Urination:

Women with ovarian cancer may also notice that they suddenly have to use the restroom more often. Because your bladder and ovaries are close together, your urinary tract can be affected by the health of your ovaries. You may also notice that you have to go to the restroom urgently more often.

5) Changes in Menstruation:

Ovarian Cancer can affect a woman’s menstrual period. It may include bleeding is heavier than usual or otherwise irregular. If a person has ovarian cancer, missing a period can be an early sign of ovarian cancer. But there are many more common reasons for missing a period.

Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk of ovarian cancer include:

Older age

The risk of ovarian cancer increases as you age. It’s most often diagnosed in older adults.
Inherited gene changes : A small percentage of ovarian cancers are caused by genes changes you inherit from your parents. The genes that increase the risk of ovarian cancer include BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes also increase the risk of breast cancer.

 

Gene changes

Several other gene changes are known to increase the risk of ovarian cancer, including gene changes associated with Lynch syndrome and the genes BRIP1, RAD51C and RAD51D.

 

Family history of ovarian cancer

If you have blood relatives who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may have an increased risk of the disease.

 

Being overweight or obese

Being overweight or obese increases the risk of ovarian cancer.

 

Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy

Taking hormone replacement therapy to control menopause signs and symptoms may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

 

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that lines the inside of your uterus grows outside your uterus.

 

Age when menstruation started and ended

Beginning menstruation at an early age or starting menopause at a later age, or both, may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

 

Never having been pregnant

If you’ve never been pregnant, you may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

 

Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

Treatment for ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.

• Surgery: In a surgery for ovarian cancer, doctors remove cancer tissue in an operation.
• Chemotherapy: Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer, which you take or will be given in your veins, or sometimes both.
• Targeted therapies: This targets cancer cells to stop or slow the growth or spread of cancer cells. Your doctor may recommend genetic testing to find out which targeted therapy is right for you.

Different treatments may be provided by different doctors  in a medical team.

• Gynecologic oncologists are doctors who have been trained to treat cancers of a woman’s reproductive system. They perform surgery and give chemotherapy (medicine).
• Surgeons are doctors who perform operations.
• Medical oncologists are doctors who treat cancer with medicine (chemotherapy).