WFUBMC Home

>

Comprehensive Cancer Center

>

Types of Cancer

>

Ovarian Cancer

>

index

The Wake Forest Baptist Approach Improving the Outlook for Ovarian Cancer Patients from BestHealth, February 2005 Gynecologic Oncology Gynecologic Oncologists provide comprehensive treatment for all gynecologic malignancies, advanced pelvic surgery for benign and malignant conditions as well as complete evaluation and treatment of pre-invasive changes of cervix, vagina and vulva.  Multidisciplinary management is provided through close cooperation with radiation oncology, surgical oncology, medical oncology and pathology.  Active clinical research protocols are available for the management of cervical, endometrial, ovarian and vulvar malignancies, and include phase I, II and III trials from the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Gynecologic Oncology Group, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, Department of Defense, and the pharmaceutical industry.  Studies focus both on the newest and most aggressive approaches for gynecologic cancers, as well as quality-of-life. Genetic counseling is available for women at risk for familial ovarian cancer syndromes.   Ovarian cancer Female reproductive anatomy Ascites with ovarian cancer, CT scan Peritoneal and ovarian cancer, CT scan Ovarian cancer dangers   Ovarian growth worries Uterus Ovarian cancer Ovarian cancer metastasis   Definition: Ovarian cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries. The ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs. Alternative Names: Cancer - ovaries Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women, and it causes more deaths than any other type of female reproductive cancer. The cause is unknown. The risk for developing ovarian cancer appears to be affected by several factors. The more children a woman has and the earlier in life she gives birth, the lower her risk of ovarian cancer. Certain genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) are responsible for a small number of ovarian cancer cases. Women with a personal history of breast cancer or a family history of breast or ovarian cancer have an increased risk for ovarian cancer. Older women are at highest risk. About two-thirds of the deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women age 55 and older. About 25% of ovarian cancer deaths occur in women between 35 and 54 years of age. Ovarian cancer symptoms are often vague and non-specific, so women and doctors often blame the symptoms on other, more common conditions. By the time the cancer is diagnosed, the tumor has often spread beyond the ovaries. Symptoms: Sense of pelvic heaviness Vague lower abdominal discomfort Vaginal bleeding Weight gain or loss Abnormal menstrual cycles Unexplained back pain that worsens over time Increased abdominal girth Non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms: Increased gas Indigestion Lack of appetite Nausea and vomiting Inability to ingest usual volumes of food Bloating Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease: Increased urinary frequency or urgency Excessive hair growth Signs and tests: A physical examination may reveal increased abdominal girth and ascites (fluid within the abdominal cavity). A pelvic examination may reveal an ovarian or abdominal mass. Tests include: CBC Blood chemistry CA125 Quantitative serum HCG (blood pregnancy test) Alpha fetoprotein Urinalysis GI series Exploratory laparotomy Ultrasound Abdominal CT scan or MRI of abdomen Treatment: Surgery is the preferred treatment and is often needed to diagnose ovarian cancer. Studies have shown that surgery performed by a specialist in gynecologic oncology results in a higher cure rate. Chemotherapy is used as after surgery to treat any remaining disease. Chemotherapy can also be used if the cancer comes back. Radiation therapy is rarely used in ovarian cancer in the United States. After treatment, women are commonly monitored with CA-125 and CT scans. Support Groups: For additional information and resources, cancer support group. Expectations (prognosis): Ovarian cancer is rarely diagnosed in its early stages. It is usually quite advanced by the time diagnosis is made. The outcome is often poor. About 76% of women with ovarian cancer survive 1 year after diagnosis. About 45% live longer than 5 years after diagnosis. If diagnosis is made early in the disease and treatment is received before the cancer spreads outside the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is about 94%. Complications: Spread of the cancer to other organs Loss of organ function Fluid in the abdomen (ascites) Blockage of the intestines Calling your health care provider: Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are a woman over 40 years old who has not recently had a pelvic examination. Routine pelvic examinations are recommended for all women over 20 years old. Call for an appointment with your provider if you have symptoms of ovarian cancer. Prevention: Having regular pelvic examinations may decrease the overall risk. Screening tests for ovarian cancer remains a very active research area. To date, there is no cost-effective screening test for ovarian cancer, so more than 50% of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease. Recent research has shown that surgery to remove the ovaries in women with mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can dramatically reduce their risk of developing ovarian cancer. References: Dann RB. Strategies for ovarian cancer prevention. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. Dec 1, 2007;34(4):667-86, viii. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Ovarian cancer. 1st ed. 2008. Accessed June 10, 2008.

Review Date:12/24/2008 Reviewed By:Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Previously reviewed by James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California; and David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. (6/10/2008)