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Symptoms, stages and treatment of ovarian cancer in women

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is not one but a whole group of diseases which differ in their origin, the clinic manifestations and biological properties. This type of cancer affects these paired organs that are responsible for the production of estrogen and progesterone. This is a fairly common pathology, which is most often found among women who are of retirement age (50 to 70 years).

Also under the definition of ovarian cancer gets such a description, as: malignant neoplasm affecting the female sexual sphere, which is formed from the epithelial cells of the ovaries. Quite often, the pathology manifests itself as a cyst that grows slowly, and after quite a long time transformered into the tumor with the appearance of metastasis. Special attention to the tumor should be paid to women who are going through menopause and those girls who have not yet had a period. Most often it is malignant tumors, and they account for up to 80%.

If we turn to the classification of this pathology, there are the following types: mucinous, serous, clear cell, endometrioid, squamous and perekhodnocletocny cancer. In the future, these histological types, the oncologists are divided into malignant, benign and intermediate, i.e., the risk of which can develop into malignant minimal, but still exists.

Survival in ovarian cancer

If we talk about survival rates for cancer that is damaging the ovaries, you should consult such a concept as survival rate, that is, to the rate that doctors charge for a certain standard. The most common definition of this value is a statistic that shows how many patients survived five years after detection of the problem. Naturally, blindly rely on those numbers is not necessary, as many die and for other reasons. But nevertheless, the statistics is relentless and depends on what stage the tumor was discovered and developed appropriate treatment.

If the cancer was diagnosed at the first stage of development, the percentage of surviving women is a pretty impressive number – up to 95% of cases. In the second stage survive from 50% to 70% of patients, indicators of the third stage more sad and be 35%. If we talk about tumorsdiscovered in the last fourth stage, in this case, the percentage of survivors is no more than 20%.

Naturally, the mortality rate depends on a number of reasons, and not just from the stagethe progression of the disease, but the sooner the pathology was diagnosed, the more favorable will be the prognosis. This should take into account such factors as: the age of the patient, presence of concomitant disease, immune status, tumor response to treatment and other indicators.

If we turn to the General statistics, this pathology ranks ninth in the world among oncological diseases of the weaker sex, and is in fifth place in the number, leading to the deaths of women. While cancer sick one and 71 women, and die from it one of 95. These are the harsh statistics who leads who.

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Symptoms of ovarian cancer

The disease is complicated to diagnose is that its symptoms in the initial stages is practically nonexistent. It can last as long as the tumor reaches a very considerable size and begin to "push" the organs, causing discomfort, or until the first metastases.

As a concomitant of this stage of the disease symptoms are the following:

  • Pain in the lower abdomen or in the lumbar spine, especially increasing after even minor physical exertion. Their character is pulling, sharp pain for this type of disease is not typical.
  • Quite often women are concerned dyspareunia is the so – called soreness after intercourse.
  • Sometimes there are disturbances in the menstrual cycle, there is discharge between periods.

  • Ascites – accumulation of fluid within the abdominal cavity.

  • The increase in the volume of the stomach as a result of the tumor on the ovaries or in the formation fluid.
  • The result of the progression of the disease appear amplified pain, with concurrent weight loss.

  • Anemia is a constant companion of ovarian cancer.

  • Rarely,but it has to be the increase of the endometrium, the growth of the mammary gland and hair. This is due to the fact that the tumor itself produces hormones.

  • Uterine bleeding not related to menstruation, it is often the reason women who are going through menopause to seek medical attention.

  • Loss of appetite, disorders of the chair, undue nausea.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Excessively rapid saturation while eating.
  • Fatigue, irritability, weakness.
  • A blood test would show high ESR, as in the body there is inflammation.

  • When the tumor has metastasized, or spread to other organs, then patients experience bone pain, headaches. May experience seizures, cough with hemoptysis. Often occurs the growth of secondary tumor foci, which are located on the adjacent organs and tissues.

First signs of ovarian cancer

The first signs of this disease are quite blurred, which is why the disease for a long time is not revealed. However, there are some some features that you should pay attention and inform their doctor.

Suspected ovarian cancer will help the following characteristics:

  • Discomfort in the abdomen. They may not even be painful, and similar to those that occur with diarrhea.

  • Slight malaise and weakness against the General well-being.
  • The feeling of something extraneous in the abdomen, this feeling is worse when bending of the body, after going to the toilet and after eating. Such feelings describe up to 60% of women undergoing ovarian cancer.
  • Abnormalities in leukocyte balance and the increase in ESR can be observed in the analysis of blood.

These are the signs of the disease at an early stage. As they are quite non-specific, in the case of similar feelings, it is desirable to pass a General examination.


Causes of ovarian cancer

The main reasons for calling ovarian cancer, decided to highlight a few fundamental factors.

It is them who characterizes as the most often leads to a pathological condition of the body:

  • Genetic predisposition. This means that if the family were to occurovarian cancer and breast cancer or other disease of the reproductive system, resulting in the occurrence of tumors, then every woman in the family should be very attentive to their health. This fact is explained by the fact that mutations in the genes responsible for the emergence and development of the tumor, approximately 10% of cases may carry hereditary. That is why it is so important to know family history.
  • Women aged 45 years and older. That is, since joining women in menopause, there is a real risk of ovarian cancer, especially against the background of hormone replacement therapy.
  • Polyphonie symptoms, having a place to be a family history.
  • Hormonal disruptions in the body, in particular the increase in the number of androgens. Disorders in the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, or severe ovarian dysfunction.
  • Excess body weight is one of the common causes of this disease. It should also be noted that the mortality rate from cancer among such women than among those body weight not exceeding normal.
  • Early puberty.
  • It is considered that hormonal contraceptives reduce the risk of developing malignant tumors in the ovaries, but violations of the schema may, on the contrary, provoke its growth.
  • Preventive ovariectomy.
  • Abortion and promiscuous, which leads to frequent STDs. All this can trigger the development of ovarian cancer.
  • Infectious diseases of the ovaries, bearing the inflammatory nature and occurring in a chronic form.
  • Smoking and alcohol abuse, and poor diet.
  • The radiative forcing.

Also: Other causes of cancer and risk factors

Ovarian cancer stage

It is customary to identify four stages of development of this pathology. They are numbered depending on the progression of the disease:

  • The first stage occurs immediately lose the ovary. The process may include one or both on.
  • At the next stage, the disease begins to take over large territories: the uterus and nearby organs.
  • The third stage is characterized by involvement of lymph nodes andalso of the peritoneum.
  • The last stage is worse to therapy and is characterized by the fact that the tumor disseminates its metastases in organs located far away. Can affect the liver and lungs.

Ovarian cancer first stage

The first stage is the beginning of the process when the tumor is directly inside one or a pair of ovaries and not beyond its limits.

It has the features, and the doctors assign disease sootvetstvuyushie abbreviation, the first number (1A, 1B, 1C):

  • In the first case the tumor is localized to one ovary, malignant cells are not detected. During the laboratory flushing from the pelvis, the cancerous cells are not detected.
  • In the second case, the process affects both organs, but there is no evidence that the tumor is malignant in nature.
  • In the third case, the process involves both ovaries, malignancy comes out of the body when performing lavages cancer cells can be effectively diagnosed. Sometimes there is a rupture of the capsule of the tumor.

The first stage of the development of the disease very difficult to diagnose, therefore, as a rule, the process is detected at later stages.

Ovarian cancer second stage

In the absence of treatment, ovarian cancer continues to progress and proceed to the next stage of its development. It is characterized by the fact that the tumor ASIC that is located on both ovaries, and involves in the pathological process of other organs located in the pelvis. Often involved direct and sigmoid colon, uterus and tubes, and bladder. This is what causes certain symptoms associated with discomfort in the stomach.

The second stage doctors also klassificeret severity (2A, 2B, 2C):

  • For the first is characterized by the spread of the tumor to the uterus and fallopian tubes.
  • Stage 2B the cancer has spread further and can capture the rectum and bladder.
  • At the final stage, second stage education as well as in the previous two affects pelvic organs, but during the laboratory washings tumor cells are detected. In contrast to stages 2A and 2B.

As for symptoms, the majority of women who have been diagnosed with the disease in this period, indicate that they felt the painful tingling and pulling in the abdomen, and periodically had pain in hypochondrium and abdomen, localities in different places. If the affected pelvic organs, depending on the nature of the damage, therefrequent urge to urinate or have a bowel disorder. Sometimes palpation is detected hard the site.

Ovarian cancer third stage

It was on the third stage of development cancer of the ovaries, most women seek help. Approximately 70% of all cases are detected in this period. The process has gone quite far, but he is still reversible. The tumor not only affects pelvic organs, but affects the abdominal cavity, and lymph nodes.

In the same way as the previous two stages, the third oncologists are divided into several similar sub-groups (3A, 3b, 3C):

  • For the first abbreviation is characterized by the absence of visible metastasis in the abdominal cavity and lymph nodes, but microscopic examination of biopsies in the abdominal cavity of the smallest detected malignant cancer cells.
  • If we talk about the next stage, the lesions of the abdominal cavity have become visible to the naked eye, during the operation. But metastasis does not exceed the size more 2 cmwhile lymph nodes remain unaffected.
  • The final subgroup of the third stage, in addition to the presence of metastases in the abdominal cavity, which diameter reaches 2 cm and more, can be detected cancer cells in the lymph nodes.

Ovarian cancer fourth stage

This is the last stage of cancer, when metastases have spread beyond the abdominal cavity and reached distantly located organs. Often affected the lungs and liver. Often there is the presence of pleural fluid in collegefrom space. The pain practically does not deviate and patients prescribed potent drugs.

In such cases, the symptoms become more pronounced, the woman turns to the doctors with complaints of abdominal pain, which are intensive, sometimes it greatly increases in size. The disease can only be pushed so far, it is extremely difficult to treat and the prognosis is usually unfavorable.


Metastasis of ovarian cancer

No matter what type of cancer was struck by the female ovaries, each of them can metastasize. Their presence or absence and the extent and nature of sprawl is of great importance for determining treatment regimens. Most often, they begin to appear in the case when the disease has gone too far and therefore the pathologic process involves many organs.

If we talk about germination, thenmetastases that capture those organs that are located in close proximity with the ovaries. Quite often, the lesions are exposed as the uterus and tubes (fallopian). When it comes to migration, this process represents the separation of tumor cells and penetration into the abdominal cavity with the capture of local bodies. In medical language this concept is referred to as "seeding". As for distribution, this "journey" of malignant cells in lymph nodes in any other organs, regardless of their location. Sometimes I marvel at such remote systems, such as pulmonary or cardiovascular. The tumor, which is located in the ovary, is called the primary, and if, as a consequence of its dissemination emerged tumors, like the lung, the oncologists call them metastases of ovarian cancer.

If we consider the sequence of distribution of metastasis from the ovary to other organs, most often observed the following pattern: first, the peritoneum is affected, then lymph nodes, where cells migrated to the liver, the pleura, and the diaphragm. Often hurt the intestines and fallopian tubes. But this sequence is quite relative, and depends on the characteristics of the disease.

Ovarian cancer is the most dangerous of possible tumors arising in the female body, as it gives more metastasis, incredibly quickly seize more territory. Naturally, peculiarities of their growth depends on the tumor type. The most dangerous is the epithelial tumors, which quickly hit the peritoneum, greater omentum, and the lymphatic system. Feature of metastatic tumors is that neither is practically not sensitive to chemotherapy and to radiation. That is why their removal is possible only by surgery.

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Diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Diagnosis of the disease in most cases is quite difficult. This is justified by the fact that symptoms of the disease is quite blurred and in common with similar manifestations of other pathologies that are less dangerous.

In case of suspected presence of a tumor in the ovaries, the doctor prescribes either an ultrasound or a CT scan. On the basis of obtained data it is possible to judge the size of the tumor and to make some assumptions about her character.

Also the doctor will need to collect and analyse the history of complaints and diseases, the nature of the pain, understand the previously transferred gynecological diseases, surgery, number of pregnancies and other information.Important information about the beginning of menstruation, the nature and duration of the cycle. Naturally, a mandatory pelvic examination with bimanual pursuit.

Sometimes diagnosis is carried out using a special device, the laparoscope. Making a small incision, the doctor inserts a device into the peritoneum, and with it, considering the ovaries. If it is determined that the body was struck by a benign cyst, its removal is not required, enough only periodic observations at the gynecologist. If as a result of the data obtained remains a suspicion of ovarian cancer, then surgical intervention is necessary to determine what constitutes the tumor and stop its spread. In the case where the inside of the abdominal cavity accumulates fluid, the doctor makes a small puncture and takes her on a study to verify the presence or absence of malignant cells.

Full list of methods that are used to diagnose ovarian cancer consists of the following studies: computer and magnetic resonance imaging, laparoscopy, ultrasound of the pelvic organs. Can also take a biopsy and microscopic examination.


Treatment of ovarian cancer

In setting such diagnosis, the other options cannot be: by far, surgical intervention. Direct operation volume will depend on the nature of the tumor: malignant or benign, and what is the stage of development. If disease struck the body, it is possible to only remove it. Fallopian tube will also have to remove. When the disease has progressed, then I often required the removal of both ovaries and the uterus. Liquidation subject to nearby lymph nodes, and soft tissues. This is done to remove metastases.

Sometimes surgical intervention is delayed in time. This is done in cases if it is impossible the implementation of its technical side

It should be noted that in the early stages of disease detection surgery gives very good results, and women even manage to save kidney function. This applies to those cases where the tumor affects one organ.

After surgery, the patient mandatory assigned radiotherapy and chemical therapy. The purpose of these procedures is the possible destruction of those cancer cells and lesions that were not surgically removed.

Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer

The most pronounced effect inchemotherapy have derived ethylenimine (etimicin, cyclophosphamide and other drugs), but they must be combined with funds belonging to the group alkiliruushim connections. Indications for use of chemotherapy in female patients is ovarian cancer, at any stage. But there is a medical exemption which are prescribed in the cases when women have General state is assessed as severe, the disease is in the terminal stage, comorbidities, such as tuberculosis, parenchymal hepatitis, glomerulonefrit and other evidence.

Administered rates, the timing and duration of which depends on the severity of the disease, and the indicators of treatment effectiveness. Doctors in the early stages of initiation of therapy trying to create the maximum concentration of therapeutic agent in the body, the next stage of acceptance often administered after 6 weeks, and then according to testimony.

Methods of administration of drugs are best combined, but the main is intravenously, as it is considered the most effective. Choose the dosage individually, based on the blood tests.

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Nutrition for ovarian cancer

You should understand that no one diet or particular power will not help cure ovarian cancer. The disease is amenable only to the effects of medicines and surgical scalpel. However, in the postoperative period and after a few courses hemoterapia you can help your body to recover. It is possible to stick to a certain meal plans, the meals which for the most part should consist of whole grains, and also to be rich in fiber. Naturally, this includes any fruits and vegetables. Should, if not completely abandoned, it is possible to avoid the presence on his Desk of fatty meat, sausages, and also sugar and refined oils. To virtually complete ban gets alcohol.

Sample menu for a week may look like the following:

  • On Monday at Breakfast you can drink any juice, perfect citrus nectar. As the awakening of the meals you can eat scrambled eggs and bread with butter. For lunch suitable vegetable soup, the basis of which should be carrots and celery, with a small piece of black bread, as a main dish you can put on the table a stuffed pepper any vegetables. For dinner, you should boil the buckwheat with butter, make a salad of freshcucumbers and radish. To wash it all down with weak tea. If a late night bite to eat, you can drink a glass of milk.
  • Tuesday start your day with fresh carrot juice with steamed courgettes and rye bread. For lunch, let him be soup with semolina dumplings and croquettes of pumpkin, you can diversify the menu baked fish. For dessert perfect fruit and jelly. For dinner you can prepare the salad with vegetables and boiled rice. Before bed allowed a glass of low-fat yogurt.
  • Wednesday morning you can start with grapefruit juice and salad based on cabbage. The dinner at the table will be dishes such as: soup, eggplant caviar and Turkey, or boiled or steamed. Supplement meals with fresh fruit and compote. Dinner should consist of boiled buckwheat with any steamed vegetables, green tea and subsequently with yogurt.

  • Thursday is meet Apple, a salad of beans and greens. For lunch you can eat onion soup, salad with cabbage and apples, and tea with milk. Dinner may consist of millet porridge with any nuts and tea. Before bedtime you can drink a glass of yogurt.

  • On the last working day of the week in the morning is perfect grape juice as a wholesome Breakfast you can use the boiled potatoes with any herbs. For lunch you should prepare a lentil soup, a few salads, carrots and apples, and also cabbage and celery with prunes. Supplementing meals with juice and pears. For dinner you can put out the beets, prepared walnuts and washed down with black tea with a slice of the same bread. The last snack should be yogurt.

  • The morning of the day you need to start a blackcurrant juice and cereals friendship. In the afternoon you can indulge in a noodle soup and a salad with cheese and egg, supplemented with steam fish, to wash down the meal with a fruit compote. For dinner, you should cook the radish with cucumber and a sandwich with squash caviar and tea. Before bedtime can drink a glass of milk.

  • Last day of the week should start with pear juice, rice cereal and dried fruit. In the afternoon, perfect tomato soup, salad with cottage cheese and green parsley, and chicken baked in the oven. As a dessert you can eat fruits and drink jelly. Dinner should consist of steam green beans, braised eggplant, and tea. Before bedtime can drink a glass of kefir.

This diet is very conventional, the dishes can be combined to complicate things depending on their preferences. But, nevertheless, the food consisting of plenty of vegetables,fruit and cereals will help your body to expend energy to fight the illness, not digesting food.

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ykov, Yevgeny Pavlovich, doctor-oncologist