Download Ovarian Cancer

What is Ovarian Cancer?
 Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from
the ovary.
 The “silent killer”
What are the types of ovarian
cancer you may have?
 There are more than 30 different types of ovarian cancer
which are classified according to the type of cell from which
they start. Cancerous ovarian tumors can start from three
common cell types:
 Surface Epithelium - cells covering the lining of the ovaries
 Germ Cells - cells that are destined to form eggs
 Stromal Cells - Cells that release hormones and connect the
different structures of the ovaries
What is the cause for
ovarian cancer?
 The precise cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but
several risk and contributing factors (including both
reproductive and genetic factors) have been identified.
What are the stages for
ovarian cancer?

Stage I - Growth of the cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries.

Stage II - Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries with pelvic
extension.

Stage III - Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries, and one or
both of the following are present: (1) the cancer has spread beyond the
pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and (2) the cancer has spread to lymph
nodes. The tumor is limited to the true pelvis but with histologically
proven malignant extension to the small bowel or omentum.

Stage IV - This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Growth of the
cancer involves one or both ovaries and distant metastases (spread of the
cancer to organs located outside of the peritoneal cavity) have occurred.
Finding ovarian cancer cells in pleural fluid (from the cavity which
surrounds the lungs) is also evidence of stage IV disease.
How to lower my risk
ovarian cancer?
 Changing lifestyle or eating habits.
 Avoiding things known to cause cancer.
 Check ups from doctors. Ex: Pelvic Exam
 Taking medicines to treat a precancerous condition or
to keep cancer from starting.
What are the symptoms for
ovarian cancer?

Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating

Pelvic discomfort or pain

Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea

Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation

Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate

Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full

Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist

A persistent lack of energy

Low back pain
Does it hurt?
 In its earliest stages, ovarian cancer can cause no symptoms
at all or only mild symptoms that may be attributed to
another illness.
 Pain in the more advanced stages of ovarian cancer is
common.
 Women can experience different types of pain due to
ovarian cancer.
 To control the pain is either deal with it or pain medication.
What treatments needed for
ovarian cancer?
 The treatment of ovarian cancer depends on the stage
of the disease, the histologic cell type, and the patient's
age and overall condition.
 There are basically three forms of treatment of ovarian
cancer. Removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy to kill
the cancer cells, and radiation treatment to kill the
cancer sites.
What are they going to do
to me?
 Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) procedure
 The surgeon needs to make sure that as much cancer as
possible has been removed. You will be in hospital for
3 to 5 days. And recovering at home afterwards for at
least another month or so.
What happens after
surgery?
 When you wake up after your operation you will have
a few tubes in place.
-A drip (intravenous infusion) into a vein in your arm to
give you fluids until you are eating and drinking again
-A tube (catheter) into your bladder to drain your urine
How you may feel after
treatment?
 Surgery- Hormonal effects, Fatigue
 Chemo- Fatigue, N/V, Hair loss, Diarrhea
 Radiation- (Fatigue) Other side effects depend on the
part of your body being treated.
What are some test to see if
you have ovarian cancer?

Pelvic Examination

Transvaginal ultrasound

CA-125 assay

Biopsy

X-ray

Lower gastrointestinal (GI) series

Computed tomography (CT or CAT) Scan

Positron emission tomography (PET) Scan
How long can you live with
ovarian cancer?
 Ovarian cancer that is caught early enough can be cured
with surgery and you can live a normal life. Ovarian cancer
that can't be cured can be treated repeatedly. Many women
live for years with ovarian cancer with intermittent
treatment, but each case is different.
 Most ovarian cancers are already stage 3 or 4 when they are
diagnosed so we really don't know how long it took them to
get there. In retrospect, many women have had symptoms
for many months before their diagnosis. There may also be
an asymptomatic stage that could last for months or even
years before the symptoms begin.
My chances of Surviving
What is the best doctor for
ovarian cancer?
 A gynecologic oncologist is a doctor who specializes in
using surgery to treat cancer in a woman’s reproductive
organs.
Why I Choose this and
what’s need to be change?
 Grandma #8
 Change of lifestyle, culture/beliefs, & understanding.
Resources

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovariancancer/DS00293/DSECTION=symptoms

http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/treatment.cfm

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/ovariancancer/treatment/surgery-for-ovarian-cancer

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/ovarian/Patient/page1

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/overviewguide/ovariancancer-overview-survival

http://www.ovarian.org/types_and_stages.php