Cancer of the ovary

Cancer that begins in the ovaries. Ovarian cancer is the sixth most com¬ mon cancer in women. Because it is difficult to detect at an early stage, ovarian cancer is more likely to spread from the ovary and be fatal than is cancer of the cervix or endometrium (the lining of the uterus). Early stages of ovarian cancer usually have no symptoms. A tumor may first be detected when a doctor feels an enlarged ovary as part of a routine pelvic examination. At later stages, a woman may have vague intestinal problems, a feeling of fullness in her abdomen, or abdominal or pelvic pain or discomfort.


A malignant tumor or abnormal growth of cells that begins in a woman’s ovaries and can spread to other organs. Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women. Because it is difficult to detect at an early stage, ovarian cancer is more likely to be fatal than is cancer of the cervix or endometrium (the lining of the uterus). However, a woman’s prognosis largely depends on the cellular type of ovarian cancer and how far the cancer has spread at the time of diagnosis.


A cancerous tumor originating from the ovary. This cancer can either be primary, originating within the ovary itself, or secondary, resulting from the spread of cancer from another part of the body.


Ovarian cancer can manifest at any life stage, but it is more prevalent among women aged 50 and above, as well as in individuals who have not experienced childbirth. A significant risk factor is a family history of ovarian, breast, or colon cancer, particularly among close relatives under the age of 50. The use of oral contraceptives in the past substantially diminishes the risk.


In the majority of instances, ovarian cancer remains asymptomatic until it has reached an advanced stage. Initial symptoms could encompass non-specific discomfort and abdominal swelling, as well as nausea, vomiting, and unusual vaginal bleeding. The abdominal enlargement may stem from the tumor or from the presence of ascites, an accumulation of excess fluid in the abdominal cavity.


Ovarian cancer diagnosis entails a physical assessment, ultrasound scans, and blood tests to gauge the levels of a substance generated by the tumor. Typically, the tumor is surgically excised, along with the uterus and the unaffected ovary. In cases of early detection among younger women, less extensive surgery may be an option to retain fertility. The surgery also includes an evaluation of the tumor’s extent of spread within the abdominal area.


After surgery, chemotherapy is administered unless the cancer was detected very early. Typically, a combination of platinum-based drugs and paclitaxel is used. Survival rates vary based on the tumor type and its stage at diagnosis; as the disease is frequently diagnosed in advanced stages, fewer than one in four women survive beyond five years.


 


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