Ovarian Cancer
Women have two ovaries that are in the pelvis and that communicate with the rest of the female reproductive tubes. Its main function is to reproduce and, subject thereto, the production of female hormones. The ovaries have a coating formed by epithelial cells. Malignant transformation of these cells appear the vast majority of ovaria
n cancers.
It develops mainly in women between 50 and 70 years, globally, about 1 in every 7 women develop the disease. It is the third most common cancer of female reproductive system, but instead more women die of ovarian cancer than any other affecting the reproductive system.
Causes
Currently, it is unknown how and why ovarian cancer appears. However, known various hormonal and reproductive factors may favor its emergence as infertility or a small number of pregnancies. Genetic factors are decisive in only 10-15% of cases. In these cases are associated with breast cancer and ovary in the same family or even in one person. It is suspected that environmental factors like dietary fat, using talcum powder or some viral infections, may have some importance in the emergence of this disease. It is estimated that 1.5% of women are diagnosed with this disease during their lifetime. Although ovarian cancer can occur in youth, the vast majority of cases occur after menopause.
Symptoms
It is a disease that usually produces few symptoms and may reach very large sizes before causing them. The first symptom may be a slight discomfort in the lower abdomen, similar to indigestion; uterine bleeding is uncommon. The fact that a postmenopausal patient have larger ovaries may be an early sign of cancer, although its growth may also be due to cysts, noncancerous masses and other disorders. Also, you may receive fluid in the abdomen and it can swell, because this or ovarian enlargement. At this stage, women may have pelvic pain, anemia and weight loss. In rare cases, cancer of the ovary secretes hormones that cause an overgrowth of the uterine lining, an increase in breast size or increased hair development.
Prevention
Ovarian cancer is less common in women who have had several children. It is also less common among women who have taken oral contraceptives for years. However, no study has shown that this lower probability of ovarian cancer in women who have taken contraceptives will be offset by other side effects such as increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and possibly other tumors. So do not justify its preemptive use in the general population. A special case is the very high risk women, such as those with a hereditary syndrome of breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA), which is studying the protective role of ovulation and can even be proposed to the patient, removal of both ovaries at age 35 if he has fulfilled his desire to offspring.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of ovarian cancer in its earliest stages is difficult to establish because the symptoms usually do not appear until the cancer has spread and that many other less serious diseases have similar symptoms.
The diagnosis is usually suspected when a pelvic mass is detected in a routine gynecological examination. The ultrasound, tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and a blood test called CA-125 become more firm this suspicion which will be confirmed in the operation.
Treatments
The factor that most determines the chances of success in treating ovarian cancer is surgery to remove the tumor completely. In most cases completely removes the uterus and both ovaries are removed or biopsied regional nodes, and smears and biopsies are taken around the abdomen. Tumors in young women with very early and who want children can sometimes opt for a conservative surgery to preserve fertility. Except in some aggressive tumors and in very early stages always given chemotherapy after surgery. Ovarian cancer in its early stages is highly curable. In intermediate and advanced stages survival results are worse but have improved greatly in recent years. In any case, remains the most deadly gynecological tumor cause. Apart from the advances occurring in the treatment, the decrease in deaths from this disease could result from the prevention and early diagnosis.
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