Stage 2A describes a tumor on the ovaries. Stage 2B refers to cancer spread to other pelvic tissues and organs. Stage 3A describes cancer that has not spread to lymph nodes, the peritoneum, or other areas of the abdomen. Stage 4 describes cancer that has spread to distant organs.
Ovarian cancer is a serious disease, but thankfully, it has a favorable outlook. While treatment options for this condition can vary widely, most people living with this condition will live for five or more years after being diagnosed. Ovarian cancer may also arise as a result of a benign cyst or dysgerminoma, which is similar to an embryo. Among these tumors, dysgerminomas are slower-growing, and tend to affect females in their twenties and thirties. Other types of ovarian cancer are called choriocarcinoma and endodermal sinus tumor, which may originate in the placenta during pregnancy. While the majority of ovarian cancers are epithelial, stromal tumors are more common among females in their forties and fifties.
A complete medical history and physical exam are the first steps in diagnosing ovarian cancer. A pelvic exam is also an important part of the diagnostic process. A biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue or fluid and testing the results for cancer cells. Masses confined to the ovary cannot be biopsied, but they must be surgically removed. A biopsy is also important for determining treatment options. A pelvic ultrasound can reveal if ovarian cancer has spread, despite its risk of spreading to other areas of the body.
Ovarian cancer treatments vary widely. Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, they may include surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Surgery can also involve removing portions of the uterus, omentum, bowel, or bladder. If surgery is not an option, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies may be recommended. The doctor can perform various treatments in a combination or as individual treatments.
Surgery is the main treatment for ovarian cancer. Depending on the presence of cancer cells outside of the ovaries, the treatment may be conservative or aggressive. Surgery may include the removal of tumor cells or even the affected organs. Patients with stage IV disease should undergo aggressive surgical debulking and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In a high-risk case, a patient may undergo chemotherapy, depending on the type of ovarian cancer.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer can mimic other conditions or be nonexistent. Doctors do not have reliable screening tests to detect the disease early. The most common stage of the disease is only 20% of the time when it is diagnosed. In addition, screening tests are not reliable enough to identify the early signs of the disease, and many women may not know they have the disease until the disease has spread. So, early detection is crucial. It is crucial to identify symptoms that are a sign of ovarian cancer.
