In September we recognized Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month on social media to bring more attention to advanced forms of this cancer. In case you missed it, here's a quick recap for the month!
Ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal tumors are treated the same way and often grouped together as “ovarian cancers.” The majority of ovarian cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage after the disease has spread throughout the abdomen.
Treatment consists of surgery and chemotherapy. The sequence and timing of each portion should be decided together with your surgeon and medical oncologist.
The key to achieving the best survival is complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS), in which all visible disease is removed. Having a surgeon who is experienced in removing tumors from both the upper abdomen and pelvis is essential to accomplishing this goal. Emerging evidence supports the addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to cytoreductive surgery, demonstrating that it is associated with longer progression-free and overall survival.
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Risk Factors
Age: Most commonly occurs between ages 50-60
Race: Non-Hispanic, white women
Family history of ovarian cancer
Inherited genetic mutations (BRCA1/BRCA2)
Personal history of cancer, particularly breast cancer
Estrogen hormone replacement therapy
Obesity
Smoking
Reproductive history and infertility may contribute:
Early menstruation (before 12 years of age)
Has not given birth to any children
First child after the age of 30 years
No history of oral contraceptives
Signs/Symptoms
Symptoms are often vague & non-specific:
Abdominal or pelvic pain/tenderness
Back pain
Abdominal swelling or bloating
Fatigue
Feeling full after a small amount of food
Shortness of breath
Bowel changes, constipation
Urinary symptoms
Unexplained weight gain/loss
Evaluation
Physical exam
Imaging studies: ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan
Blood work to include tumor markers
Testing of abdominal fluid (ascites)
Surgical biopsy of tumor – fine needle biopsy
