This form of cancer occurs when the malignant cells develop in the tissue covering the ovary. There is a pair of ovaries located one on each side of the uterus and are about the size and the shape of an almond. The ovaries are responsible for the production of eggs and hormones that control the functions of certain organs. Some of the ovarian cancers can be inherited because of genetic mutations. It is estimated that around 5% to 10% of all cases of ovarian cancer are hereditary. The risk of developing ovarian cancer appears to increase when a first-degree or a second-degree relative have ovarian cancer. In some case, women with the increased risk of this cancer may also consider having a prophylactic oophorectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the healthy ovaries to prevent the occurrence of ovarian cancer.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ovarian epithelial cancer may not be evident in the initial stage or may present mild symptoms that can go unnoticed. When cancer has advanced, the symptoms may become apparent which can include clear, white or bloody vaginal discharge, feeling of pressure in the abdomen or pelvis, gastrointestinal problems such as bloating or constipation, lump in the pelvic area, irregular or heavy vaginal bleeding and pain or swelling in the abdomen or the pelvic are. Although these symptoms can develop because of other conditions, it is important to seek medical evaluation particularly if the symptoms deteriorate or does not go away on their own. It is estimated that around 70% of the women with this form of cancer is not diagnosed until it has reached the advanced stage.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the examination of the ovaries, the pelvic area and the ovarian tissue to confirm the condition. During the pelvic examination, the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, rectum and the ovaries are observed for signs of the disease. A pap test or a pap smear of the cervix is also normally done. An abdominal ultrasound, a transvaginal ultrasound or a CT scan may be done to determine abnormalities of the internal tissues or organs. An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) involves a series of x-rays of various organs to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. A biopsy involves a procedure called laparotomy that removes a small sample of the affected tissue that will be examined under the microscope to detect the characteristic findings.
Treatment
The common treatment option includes a surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and a targeted drug therapy. The different types of surgical options include a partial hysterectomy or total hysterectomy where the uterus and the cervix are removed either partially or completely. Chemotherapy and targeted therapy use drugs to destroy and stop the growth of cancerous cells. During radiation therapy, high-energy beams such as x-rays are used to destroy cancerous cells or to stop it from growing.
References
https://www.cancer.gov/types/ovarian/patient/ovarian-epithelial-treatment-pdq
http://ovarian.org/about-ovarian-cancer/what-is-ovarian-cancer/types-a-stages
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/ovarian-epithelial-cancer
https://www.loyolamedicine.org/cancer/ovarian-epithelial-cancer
