Cancerous Ovarian Growths: An Overview

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Reports and surveys confirm that ovarian cancer ranks fifth in the list of the most common cancers that affect women, and it brings about more death compared to other types of cancer affecting the reproductive system of women.

Cancerous Ovarian Growths Facts

The cause of ovarian cancer from ovarian growths remains unknown. However, the risks for developing the cancer seem to be affected by some factors. Below are facts about ovarian growths and ovarian cancer:

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are reported to be responsible for a number of cases of ovarian cancer.
Women with a history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer in the family will have an increased risk for developing it as well.
Those women who have given birth earlier in their lives and those who have more children have lower risks for ovarian cancer.
Older women are also faced with higher risks, as 25 percent of deaths from ovarian cancer have occurred on those women aged between 35 and 54.
Women who take birth control pills are at a lesser risk of developing cancerous growths ...
... in their ovaries.
Females who take replacement for their estrogen needs are more prone to have cancerous ovarian growths.

Cancerous Ovarian Growth Symptoms

One other problem with cancerous ovarian growth is that the symptoms are almost always vague, and women often put the symptoms on more other conditions. So by the time the cancer is detected, the cancerous growth or tumor has most likely spread even beyond the ovaries.

If a woman experiences difficulty eating, abdominal pains, and bloating for more than a few weeks, she needs to see her doctor. Women should also watch out for abnormal menstrual periods, constipation, vaginal bleeding, and nausea and vomiting, swelling of the abdomen, unexplained back pain, increased urinary frequency and excessive hair growth as these are likewise symptoms common among women who have cancerous ovarian growths. Although it should also be noted that these symptoms may also be present in women who may not have the disease.

Cancerous Ovarian Growth Treatment

For all stages of the ovarian cancer, surgery is big part. Surgery may involve total hysterectomy or the removal of the uterus, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or the removal of the fallopian tubes and the ovaries, complete or partial removal of the fatty layer covering the organs in the abdomen or the omentum, and the removal of the other tissues in the abdomen and the pelvis. Obviously, as studies have shown, surgeries that have been conducted by gynecologic cancer specialists result in higher success rates.

Chemotherapy can also be delivered to the veins or to the abdominal cavity. It can also be used if the cancer comes back.

After the surgery and the chemotherapy, the patient is expected to go through a regular physical exam every 2 to 4 months within the first couple years. After which, she can go to these similar exams every 6 months for a duration of 3 years. And an annual checkup will be required thereafter.