If you’re a woman who’s been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be wondering, “Do I have to have surgery?” This article offers some important information for those considering this option. A salpingectomy can be enough to prevent ovarian cancer. While it may be uncomfortable, it preserves the function of the ovary. However, if you’re concerned about your risk for developing the disease, you can also consider salpingectomy.
The most common type of ovarian cancer is epithelial, which originates in cells covering the outer surface of the ovaries. These tumors frequently spread to organs in the abdomen, pelvis, or even to other parts of the body. Because they’re so aggressive, they’re typically diagnosed at an advanced stage. The most aggressive type of ovarian cancer is type II, which shows mutations in TP53.
Although these tumors represent only 2% of ovarian cancer cases, they are the most common type of the disease. Germ cell tumors begin in the reproductive cells, known as eggs. However, only about 90% of patients will survive five years after diagnosis. Women in their 20s and teens are more likely to develop these types of tumors. The chances of survival are best when the tumors are small and contain no metastases.
In addition to invasive procedures, an initial laparotomy is often performed for women who have a pelvic mass. During this procedure, the doctor will often not suspect that the cancer is epithelial. In fact, a recent study of 59 women in a community hospital diagnosed with an ovarian mass found that only 54% of the women with the disease underwent comprehensive surgical staging at the initial laparotomy.
While the ovarian surface epithelium is thought to be the primary tumor cell, this theory is not without limitations. The ovarian surface epithelium is a single layer and bears no resemblance to the stroma, the source of endometrioid, mucinous, and serous cancers. Once the epithelium invaginates into the stroma, it undergoes metaplastic changes and transforms into a mullerian-type epithelium.
Despite the controversy surrounding the ovarian surface epithelium, it has been found that a putative precursor lesion in the fallopian tube can be responsible for ovarian cancer. This lesion has been designated as “serious intraepithelial tubal carcinoma” (STIC). These tumors develop in the fimbriated endometrial tube, and most of them ultimately spread to the ovary.
A major role of the peritoneal seeding in ovarian cancer is in the administration of chemotherapy. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a relatively safe option compared to intravenous chemotherapy. However, there are still a number of unreliable prognostic factors to consider. This article will highlight the important prognostic factors. While intraperitoneal chemotherapy has some benefits, the results of this study are not conclusive.
One of the most common symptoms associated with ovarian cancer is pelvic pain. Many women mistake this pain for period cramps and are unaware of its danger. However, ovarian cancer can produce lower abdominal pain similar to that of period cramps. Women with pelvic tumors may also experience bloating, decreased appetite, or even decreased urge to urinate. This pain is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the pelvic cavity called ascites.
