What Is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian Cancer is the growth of malignant abnormal cells in the Ovaries. The main function of the ovaries is to produce and release the ovum for conception, and produce two hormones, estrogen and progestin. Ovarian Cancer grows rapidly, an has a high propensity to spread to surrounding organs and tissues.
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Ovarian Cancer occurs as a fast-growing tumor, and often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the disease has spread across the abdominal and pelvic cavities, in almost 80% of cases.
How Is Ovarian Cancer Detected?
There are multiple ongoing studies focused on discovering new molecules and proteins in the blood that may be useful for early diagnosis of Ovarian cancer. This is of vital importance given that treatment effectiveness increases significantly when ovarian cancer is caught in its early stages, with the disease limited to the ovaries.
What Puts Me At Higher Risk Of Developing Ovarian Cancer?
The cause of Ovarian Cancer is still uncertain, however there are a number of factors that may increase a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Having one of the risk factors mentioned above does not mean that a patient is guaranteed to develop ovarian cancer in the future, rather it is necessary to discuss with your gynecologist in order to monitor for the development of malignant tissues.
How Can I Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
Even though there are no specific ways to prevent ovarian cancer, some of the following measures might help reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer:
What are the signs of Ovarian Cancer?
Women ovarian cancer are often asymptomatic and are diagnosed incidentally during a routine sonogram or physical examination. Nevertheless, ovarian cancer generally causes symptoms in women with advanced stages of the disease including:
- Vaginal bleeding: particularly during menopause
- Pain or pressure in the abdominal or pelvic regions.
- Back pain.
- Bloating, which is the sensation of distention or “full stomach”.
- Feeling full with small or minimal food quantities.
- Changes in intestinal rhythm (diarrhea or constipation) or urinary symptoms (burning while peeing, increase in urinary frequency, and decrease in urine volume)
These symptoms are nonspecific, which means they can be caused by other conditions other than ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, it is very important for women to know that any of the symptoms mentioned above should prompt a visit to a doctor.
How Is Ovarian Cancer diagnosed?
Ovarian Cancer can be diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, and medical imaging tests.
A Pelvic Exam can alert your physician to the presence of an ovarian cyst or nodules deep in the pelvis.
Blood Tests can also be done to check for elevated levels of Protein CA125, although early stage Ovarian Cancer may not cause a significant enough increase in CA125 to be detected
Gynecologic sonography or a Transvaginal Ultrasound can also be used to visualize the structures of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and detect the presence of cysts or other masses.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scans are used in all cases of suspected oncological disease to assess the extent of the disease outside of the affected organ: lymph nodes, abdominal or thoracic organs. CT scans for Ovarian Cancer are typically performed with intravenous and oral contrast.
A Positron-Emission Tomography or PET scan using radiotracers may also be used to diagnose the size and spread of the disease with the most accuracy.
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Treatment options for Ovarian Cancer
The method of treatment for ovarian cancer patients depends on a number of factors. The initial treatment of ovarian cancer is the most important factor when determining the patient’s outlook for survival, and treatment should begin quickly after diagnosis.
When assessing which treatment is right for you, the doctor will consider:
- The size and stage of the tumor.
- The extent to which the disease has spread.
- The patient’s desire for future fertility.
- The overall health of the patient.
- The patient’s preferences.
Surgical Options for Ovarian Cancer
Surgical intervention is the first line of treatment for Ovarian Cancer. We are committed to the development of innovative surgical techniques for the treatment of gynecologic cancer, including ovarian tumors in their early stages. To that effect, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery represents the best example of technological development to ensure the best surgical results, while minimizing postoperative complications.
Surgical treatment of Ovarian Cancer may include a combination of the following procedures:
- Hysterectomy: removal of the uterus including the cervix.
- Bilateral adnexectomy: this type of procedure follows the one described above and consists in the removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes (adnexa of the uterus)
- Omentectomy: removal of fatty tissue linked to the large intestine.
- Pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy: removal of lymph nodes in the pelvis and the ones surrounding the main arteries and veins.
- Appendectomy: removal of the appendix in selected cases of ovarian cancer (mucinous histologic variant)
- Multiple peritoneal biopsies: removal of small fragments (3-4 cm) in various regions (8-10) of the peritoneum. The latter is a thin tissue layer covering intra-abdominal organs and the abdominal wall.
For ovarian cancer patients with late-stage disease we recommend Radical Cytoreductive Surgery
Chemotherapy For Ovarian Cancer
In over 90% of cases, Chemotherapy is necessary following the diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer given the rapid and pervasive nature of the disease either before or after surgery.
Standard treatment consists in the administration of 6 carboplatin and paclitaxel cycles intravenously. Each cycle is separated from the next by 3 – 4 weeks.
What is the Follow-Up Procedure After Ovarian Cancer Treatment?
Ovarian Cancer has a high rate of recurrence, and should be monitored closely following the initial treatment. Regular follow-ups should be scheduled for every 3-4 months for the first 2 years, then every 6 months for the following 3 years.
If at any point a patient experiences symptoms that may suggest recurrence a second surgery to remove as much cancer as possible can be performed, before restarting chemotherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ovarian Cancer
Who develops ovarian cancer?
Any woman can develop ovarian cancer, but it is more likely in women between 65 and 84 years old. Ovarian cancer represents 10% of all types of cancer in women. Ovarian cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death among women. Any woman can develop ovarian cancer.
How does an ovarian tumor hurt?
Pain from an ovarian tumor is often associated with abdominal or back pain. Pain or pressure in the pelvic area. bloated feeling Feeling full very quickly or difficulty eating.
What causes an ovarian tumor?
It’s not clear what causes ovarian cancer, although doctors have identified factors that may increase the risk of the disease.
Doctors know that ovarian cancer begins when cells in or near the ovaries develop changes (mutations) in their DNA.
What is the difference between a cyst and a tumor?
Tumors and cysts are two different entities.
- Cyst. A cyst is a sac that can be filled with air, fluid, or other material. A cyst can form anywhere in the body, including the bones, organs, and soft tissues. …
- Tumor. A tumor is any abnormal mass of tissue or swelling.
Opinions patients with Ovarian Cancer.
Doctor Lucas Minig Specialist in Ovarian Cancer in Valencia, Spain
Great professional and excellent treatment with patients. He operated on a carcinoma in a very advanced stage and the cytoreduction was optimal. I have no words of gratitude!
Specialist Dr. Lucas Minig in Ovarian Cancer
On April 13, 2013, I had surgery for grade III C ovarian cancer. Their hands, their equipment and the speed with which they acted saved my life. From when they detected it to the surgery, barely 4 days passed. He is not only an excellent professional, he is a great person.
Operation for Ovarian Cancer grade III
My wife and I went to the doctor's appointment on 8/2/13, very scared, since the diagnosis was not the best: stage III C ovarian carcinoma. Well, on 8/6 she was operated successfully by Dr. Minig and tumor free. Now waiting for the chemo. What a great professional with exquisite treatment!!
Operated for stage III ovarian carcinoma
Ovarian cancer, the best professional I could find throughout my illness, has given me a lot of energy and is also a great surgeon.
Ovarian cancer surgery Dr Lucas Minig.
Mayte, ovarian cancer. I can't find enough words to thank this doctor. He managed to calm me down in such a way that I passed it without any problem. Spectacular person.
Patient with ovarian cancer operated on.
I cannot but have words of gratitude towards Dr. Lucas Minig. Dr. Minig has been and is being instrumental in the treatment of my mother's ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Treatment Valencia
I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. At that very moment, an angel named Doctor Minig appeared in my life. Super professional and unbeatable human treatment. Thanks to him I am here today. forever grateful. sonsoles
Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Excellent doctor, I have gone through the operating room twice for an ovarian tumor, it is unbeatable!!! the tranquility with which you enter the operating room thanks to his way of explaining things to you... very careful in his work, the scar is barely noticeable, both operations in the same place... excellent doctor!!!
Ovarian tumor operation in Valencia
Excellent professional, together with his team. Unbeatable personal treatment.
Valencian Institute of Oncology • Ovarian tumor. Valencia
I can only say "Thank you very much, for your kind, close personalized treatment, and explaining it to you clearly, for conveying a lot of CONFIDENCE AND GIVING YOU SO MUCH PEACE. Total hysterectomy and breast cancer surgery. In both I can only say that he is a great professional, expert surgeon, great person.
Ovarian tumor hysterectomy
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