Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary) is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. It is more common than cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix). About 7,000 women are diagnosed with it every year in the UK. The majority of cases are in women aged over 50 years, although it can occur in younger women

Women have two ovaries, one on either side of the uterus (womb) in the lower abdomen. Ovaries are small and round, each about the size of a walnut. The ovaries make eggs. In fertile women, each month an egg (ovum) is released from one of the ovaries. The egg passes down the Fallopian tube into the uterus where it may be fertilised by a sperm. The ovaries also make hormones including the main female hormones – oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones pass into the bloodstream and have various effects on other parts of the body, including regulating the menstrual cycle.

Causes of Ovarian Cancer

Most cases of ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary) develop in women over the age of 50. The cause is not clear. Some ovarian cancers can be cured. In general, the more advanced the cancer (the more it has grown and spread), the less chance that treatment will be curative. A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cells abnormal and multiply out of control. In most cases, the reason why an ovarian cancer develops is not known. However, there are factors which are known to alter the risk of ovarian cancer developing. These include:

Age. Most cases occur in women over the age of 50 years.
Ovulation factors. Factors that reduce the number of times a woman will ovulate slightly lower the risk. For example, taking the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), having children and breast-feeding. In contrast, not having children and having a late menopause slightly increases the risk.
Being overweight or obese increases the risk.
Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may slightly increase the risk.
Sterilisation or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) appears to reduce the risk slightly.
Taking the COCP provides some protection from ovarian cancer. This protection seems to continue for many years after stopping the pill.
Genetic factors – see below.

Family history and genetic testing

Most cases of ovarian cancer are not due to genetic or hereditary factors. Around one in twenty cases is due to faulty genes which increase the risk of cancer of the breast and ovary. Some women are referred for genetic testing if a faulty gene is suspected on the basis of a strong family history of cancer. The most common genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2. For example, if you have two or more close relatives who have had ovarian or breast cancer at a young age (or certain other cancers), you may benefit from genetic testing. If this applies to you then it is advised that you see your GP to talk it through to establish if you should be referred for genetic testing. In addition, if you are eligible for enhanced breast screening due to a family history of breast cancer, you should be aware of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer (see below).

Types of Ovarian Cancers

There are various types of ovarian cancer. The treatments and prognosis (outlook) are different for each type of ovarian cancer They are classified by the type of cell from which the cancer originates:

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type (about 9 in 10 cases). This type of cancer develops from one of the cells that surrounds the outside of each ovary. This outer layer of cells is called the germinal epithelium of the ovary. Epithelial ovarian cancer mainly affects women who have had their menopause – usually women aged over 50. It is rare in younger women. There are various subtypes depending on the exact look of the cells causing the cancer (which can be seen under the microscope).
Germ cell ovarian cancer develops from germ cells (the cells that make the eggs). About 1 in 10 cases of ovarian cancer are germ cell cancers. They typically develop in younger women. Again, there are various subtypes depending on the exact look of the cells causing the cancer. Most cases of germ cell ovarian cancer are curable, even if diagnosed at a late stage, as it usually responds well to treatment.
Stromal ovarian cancer develops from connective tissue cells (the cells that fill the ovary and produce hormones). This type of cancer is rare.

Symptoms of (epithelial) Ovarian Cancer?

In many cases, no symptoms develop for quite some time after the cancer first develops. Symptoms may only be noticed when the cancerous tumour has become quite large. As the tumour grows, the most common early symptoms include one or more of the following:

Constant pain or a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen (pelvic area).
Bloating in the abdomen that does not go away (not bloating that comes and goes). There may also be an actual increase in size of your abdomen.
Difficulty eating, and feeling full quickly.
Loss of appetite.
Weight loss.
Pain in the lower abdomen when having sex.
Passing urine frequently (as the bladder is irritated by the nearby tumour).
Change in bowel habit such as constipation or diarrhoea.
A more marked swelling of the abdomen. This is caused by ascites, which is a collection of fluid in the abdomen. It is caused by the growth and spread of the cancer to the inside of the abdomen which causes fluid to accumulate.

All of the above symptoms can be caused by various other conditions. Also, when symptoms first start they are often vague for some time, such as mild discomfort in the lower abdomen. These symptoms may be thought to be due to other conditions. The possibility of ovarian cancer may not be considered for some time until the symptoms get worse. In particular, one condition that is often mistaken for ovarian cancer is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). But, it is uncommon for IBS to first develop in women over the age of 50. (IBS typically first develops at a younger age – but may persist into later life). So, if you have not had IBS type symptoms in the past but then develop them aged over 50, then ovarian cancer should be considered and ruled out (usually by tests) before making a diagnosis of IBS. If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, various other symptoms can develop

For further information on Ovarian Cancers, follow the link below:
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/ovarian-cancer#section_2