Women of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish background are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. They also have an increased risk of colon cancer and Lynch syndrome, a gene variant that increases a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, this mutation does not necessarily indicate ovarian cancer. A woman may have other underlying conditions, including breast or colon cancer, which may increase her risk.
Several stages are used to stage ovarian cancer. The early stages of the disease are stage I and stage II, and the cancer has spread to the surrounding tissues and organs. Cancer has spread to the pelvic area and may have metastasized to the lymph nodes or lining of the abdomen. Those diagnosed at stage II may have cancer outside of the pelvic area or have cancer that has spread to the liver. Patients in this stage are usually treated with surgery.
Other types of ovarian cancer include the immature teratoma, which develops in connective tissue within the ovaries. Although this form of cancer is rare, it is dangerous for women because the disease can spread to other parts of the body. Treatment for ovarian cancer depends on the type of tumor. In some cases, the tumor can be cured surgically, but in most cases, it is likely to recur in another part of the body.
Treatment for ovarian cancer can include surgery or chemotherapy. Surgical treatment usually involves removing the affected ovary or both ovaries. A biopsy is performed to evaluate the cancer cells. A biopsy will be done to determine whether any cancer cells have spread. If the cancer is reoccurring after surgery, the patient may have to undergo chemotherapy. However, laparoscopic surgery has a shorter recovery time than traditional surgery.
A woman’s ovaries are reproductive organs that produce eggs for reproduction. Once these eggs have been fertilized, they travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus where they develop into a fetus. The ovaries also produce female hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. Ovaries consist of two types: epithelial and stromal. The former is the most common type, while stromal cancer is rare and is the least common.
Women’s risk for ovarian cancer is higher than that for uterine cancer. Most women, however, aren’t eligible for a screening test to detect cancer before it becomes advanced. Currently, there is no reliable way to detect ovarian cancer before it has spread beyond the uterus. However, women should be aware of the risk factors and be sensitive to symptoms. These measures can help prevent the disease from progressing.
Fortunately, there are several types of ovarian cancer. A majority are benign and have no chance of spreading outside the ovary. Other types of cancer, such as endometrioid carcinomas, are cancerous. While most cancers are categorized as low-grade, epithelial cancers can spread to other parts of the body. The good news is that there is a cure for ovarian cancer.
