Cancer of the ovary, a disease affecting one of both of the ovaries, is
one of the most serious and under-recognized ailments affecting women.
In United States, it is considered as the fifth among the most fatal
gynecologic cancers (affecting the female reproductive organs). It is
said that in every 57 women, one may be diagnosed with ovarian cancer
and almost half of those women diagnosed with the said cancer may die
in a span of five years.
Ovarian Cancer: Overview
Ovarian cancer is characterized by the malignant growth of one or of
the two ovaries. The cells in the ovary multiply progressively and
abnormally to the point that they can no longer be controlled. As a
result, excessive tissues start to form tumors, which may be benign or
malignant. The malignant ones are those that cause cancer.
The growth of the tumor may not necessarily start from the ovary or the
ovaries, but may have spread to the ovary from other parts of the body,
oftentimes the breast. The malignant tumor in the ovary may likewise
spread to other parts of the body. The most common cases of ovarian
cancer arise from epithelial cancer, which affect the epithelial cells
(cells found in the tissues covering surfaces of the ovary).
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
It is important for women to be aware of the nature and symptoms of
ovarian cancer as this deadly cancer can affect women of any age.
However, women face higher risk of ovarian cancer as she gets older,
particularly after she reaches the age of fifty.
Most of the time, the symptoms of ovarian cancer do not show up until
the cancer is widespread or in its advanced stage. This makes a woman
at higher risk since it can be too late before she may be able to
detect symptoms of ovarian cancer. Moreover, there are only very few
symptoms of the cancer, which may be mistaken as symptoms of other
health conditions.
The very first symptom of ovarian cancer is vague abdominal discomfort
and bloating, which is caused by the excess fluid in the abdominal
cavity. One always feels full even when she has not eaten much. As time
passes by the swelling of the abdomen intensifies that some of your
clothes may no longer fit you. Usually, it is because of this unusual
swelling (way different from a woman’s monthly water retention) that
most women go to the doctor for check up.
Bloating is accompanied by digestive disturbances, unexplained changes
in the bowel habits and urinary patterns. There are frequent trips to
the bathroom even in the absence of a urinary tract infection or other
health problems. One may feel nauseous, very tired and she may feel
like vomiting at times. She may also feel discomfort and pain during an
intercourse.
Pain and swelling in the pelvic area is also noticeable upon closer
physical examination. This is due to the swelling in the pelvis. In
very rare instances, a woman in her postmenopausal stage experiences
abnormal bleeding.
Other vague and non-specific symptoms of ovarian cancer include back
and leg pain, loss of appetite, undernourished appearance, weight gain
or weigh loss, and unusual bleeding in the vagina (heavier and longer
than the usual menstrual bleeding).
Detecting Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Screening is a way to detect the symptoms of ovarian cancer. The
earlier the patient is screened, the better so as to decrease the
mortality and morbidity of ovarian cancer. One of the most effective
ways to detect the cancer in its early stage is through pelvic and
rectal exam.
