What to know about Ovarian cancer

WHAT IS OVARIAN CANCER? Ovarian cancer is an uncontrollably abnormal cell division that destroy the tissues in the ovary. It is often detected late, mostly it is detected after it has spread to the pelvis and stomach. At this stage, it will be more difficult to treat and can be deadly. TYPES 1. Epithelial ovarian cancer 2. Germ cell ovarian cancer 3. Stromal ovarian cancer The epithelial ovarian cancer is derived from the cells of the periphery of the ovary. The Germ cell ovarian cancer occurs in the egg producing cells within the body of the ovary. The stromal ovarian cancer is a rare type of ovarian cancer and often discover in stage 1, it develops on the tissue that hold an ovary together. SYMPTOMS Ovarian cancer often have no symptoms but the person may experience pain in the pelvis or abdomen, indigestion, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, lumps in the abdomen and abdominal fullness. CAUSES 1. Gene. When a person inherit a faulty gene such as those linked to Lynch syndrome. 2. Had endometriosis or diabetes 3. History of breast cancer or bowel cancer 4. Had radiotherapy treatment for previous cancer. RISK FACTORS 1. Age 2. Hyperlipidemia 3. Hormone therapy after menopause 4. Family history of cancer TREATMENT The treatment depends on stage but chemotherapy and surgery such as hysterectomy, laparotomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, salpingoorectomy, omentectomy are often used.