Early ovarian cancer often has very few symptoms. A pelvic mass is an indication of ovarian cancer, and later-stage disease may present with pain in the lower abdomen and bloating. Other symptoms may include abdominal swelling or pain with eating. Physical findings of ovarian cancer are rare, but may include a mass, pain, or increased abdominal size. Symptoms may also include nausea and constipation.
The objective of cancer treatment is to eliminate all of the cancer cells from a patient’s body. This is done through surgery. Surgical removal of ovarian cancer involves removing a tumor and surrounding tissue. The surgery is usually followed by a biopsy. Some cancers may spread to distant organs. In addition to removing the tumor, a doctor may also remove fallopian tubes, pelvic tissue, and lymph nodes. A cancer treatment plan may include chemotherapy or radiation.
The earliest symptoms of ovarian cancer may include a benign mass, which is composed of a single cell. These tumors are usually found in women of reproductive age. Although benign tumors are rare, they can still cause a great deal of pain. Fortunately, many women can survive this type of tumor without any treatment. The prognosis for this type of ovarian cancer is 75%. A sex cord-stromal tumor may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, early puberty, or a pelvic mass. The tumor may also develop into a malign tumor.
Fortunately, the American Cancer Society uses the SEER database to determine survival rates of ovarian cancer. SEER is a database maintained by the National Cancer Institute that uses information about patients with ovarian cancer from 2004 to 2010. Because SEER data is five years old, these statistics are not particularly accurate. It is best to seek medical advice as early as possible. Even if the cancer is diagnosed in a stage early, treatment options can significantly improve the patient’s prognosis.
Although no one knows why a woman develops ovarian cancer, genetic factors can increase the risk of developing it. Women who do not have children or menstruate after the age of 30 are at a higher risk. Other risk factors include menstruating before age 12, never having children, or giving birth before the age of thirty. Also, women who do not have children and have never had children are also at greater risk of developing ovarian cancer.
The most common types of ovarian cancer are epithelial, stromal, and germ cell tumors. Each subtype has its own specific treatments, so early detection is essential. Even though these symptoms are not indicative of ovarian cancer, they should prompt a visit to a physician. If you think that your symptoms might be the signs of ovarian cancer, you should seek medical advice immediately. If the symptoms are more common than usual, it is advisable to schedule an appointment as early as possible.
Ovarian cancer can occur at any age, although it is most common among women aged 50-60 years of age. A small percentage of cases are caused by genetic mutations. Genetic tests can indicate a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer. The risk of getting ovarian cancer is increased if she has a family history of breast cancer, a disease that runs in families. If you have a first-degree relative with ovarian cancer, she is at a 1.4% chance of developing it as well.
