Ovarian Cancer - Symptoms & Treatment
Overview
Ovarian cancer develops in the ovaries, which are the female reproductive glands that produce eggs during a woman’s reproductive years. The ovaries also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Risk Factors
- Age – It is most common in women between 50 to 60 years of age.
- Family history of ovarian cancer
- Oestrogen hormone replacement therapy
- Early menarche or late menopause or both
Signs and Symptoms
Early-stage ovarian cancer rarely causes any symptoms, due to which they are many a time an incidental finding. However, advanced-stage ovarian cancer may cause few and nonspecific symptoms that are often mistaken for more common benign conditions.
Diagnosis
- Clinical Examination – The doctors suggest a complete clinical examination followed by a pelvic examination. The doctor will do a pelvic exam to check for a pelvic mass.
Treatment
After investigations depending on if it is an early stage or advanced cancer, further management is decided by the multidisciplinary tumor board.
FAQ
- What is the most aggressive form of ovarian cancer?
- What is the first sign of ovarian cancer?
- Where do you feel pain in ovarian cancer?
- What is the difference between ovarian cyst and ovarian cancer?
