There are several different forms of the disease, and researchers at Penn have discovered that the most aggressive and dangerous forms of the condition begin in the fallopian tubes. These tumors are called serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STICs), and they can form as tiny precursor lesions in the fallopian tubes. A doctor can only detect STICs through a careful microscopic examination of the fallopian tubes. Surgical removal of the tumors will cure approximately seventy percent of these women, and high-dose chemotherapy can cure around 90% of them.
Early detection is vital for treating this disease, as many early signs can be mistaken for nerves or gastrointestinal problems. However, early detection can save a woman’s life. Early detection is the key to saving her life. It is possible to detect ovarian cancer before the disease becomes metastatic. During the early stages, 90% of women with ovarian cancer will be cured. However, when it reaches the later stages, treatment is more difficult.
Women with faulty BRCA gene mutations may be at a higher risk for developing ovarian cancer. If you are at an increased risk, you may be offered screening with an ultrasound scan and tumour-marker blood tests. For instance, CA125 is a test used to detect ovarian cancer, and it is offered to women at risk every year. Your gynaecologist can explain the risks and benefits of this test. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask.
Women with ovarian cancer may experience symptoms that mimic period cramps. They may experience increased urges to urinate, which they mistake for period cramps. Additionally, women may experience abdominal pressure or bloating. They may also experience changes in bowel habits, which may indicate the presence of ovarian cancer. But these symptoms are not always due to a tumor. Some women have no symptoms at all, while others may experience several of these conditions.
A woman with ovarian cancer may experience symptoms of ovarian cancer, but they are often caused by a different medical condition. Symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and nonspecific, making it difficult to diagnose it without a doctor’s help. In addition, ovarian cancer cannot be diagnosed at home, and diagnosis is often difficult unless diagnosed early. If you have multiple symptoms, your doctor will most likely recommend a pelvic examination or a transvaginal ultrasound. The latter may help confirm a diagnosis or rule out the disease.
When the cancer cells spread beyond the ovaries, they may move to other parts of the body. They may be in the peritoneum or the fallopian tubes, or they may spread to other organs. The new tumors may contain the same abnormal cells as the original tumor. In such cases, it is called metastatic ovarian cancer. Although metastatic ovarian cancer is a different form of ovarian cancer, treatment options differ.
