Medical: Ovarian – Carcinoma, Ovarian – Ca
- Ovarian tumor
- Cervical Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor of the ovaries that can occur on one or both sides. The type of ovarian cancer is distinguished by its histological image. Thus, tumors are divided into epihelial tumors, germ cell tumors, and germ line and stromal tumors.
The swelling of the ovaries must be distinguished from the benign or malignant tumor. Epithelial tumors are tumors that originate from the cells of the surface of the ovaries. They account for approximately 60% of all malignant ovarian tumors.
Germ cell tumors originating from the germ cells of embryonic development (body fruit development) account for about 20% of all malignant ovarian tumors. Stromal tumors are tumors that develop from the ovarian tissue and account for about 5% of all malignant ovarian tumors. Furthermore, about 20% of all malignant ovarian tumors are metastases, i.e. cells that have migrated from a tumor that was originally located elsewhere.
The metastases usually occur on both sides and originate from uterine cancer (uterus carcinoma) in about 30% and from breast cancer (breast cancer) or cancer of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal carcinoma) in about 20%. In the industrialized countries, about 2% of all women will develop ovarian cancer during their lifetime (ovarian carcinoma). Of these, about 70% are not diagnosed until a very late stage of the tumor.
This is due to the fact that ovarian cancer is usually not recognized externally. There are hardly any signs (symptoms) of the disease that indicate the tumor. As a result, ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 20 – 30%.
No typical symptoms can be assigned to ovarian cancer. In most cases, ovarian cancer goes unnoticed and is discovered by chance during an examination by a gynecologist. However, signs that can indicate the presence of ovarian cancer may include changes in menstruation, for example.
If there is increased bleeding between menstrual periods (intermediate bleeding) or bleeding after menopause (climacteric), this may indicate ovarian cancer. Especially in the advanced stages, pain can also be a symptom. These can also be limited to one side, for example only the left ovary.
Behind this symptom, however, there may also be something completely different, harmless. In any case, the specialist in gynaecology (gynaecology) must be consulted, since early detection of ovarian cancer is associated with a much better prognosis. An increase in abdominal girth with no noticeable increase in body weight and additional digestive disorders, bloating and fatigue should also always be viewed critically, but can also be harmless.
It is conspicuous that ovarian cancer is found more often in the white breed. The white race thus seems to be a risk factor so to speak. Women over the age of 40 are also frequently affected by this cancer.
Women with breast cancer that has already been diagnosed (manifested) also have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer due to their genetic susceptibility (predisposition) to breast cancer. A further risk factor is the drug treatment to trigger ovulation (ovulation induction), which is used for example in infertility. A diet rich in fat and meat also has a negative effect.
Summary:
- White skin color
- Age over 40
- Breast Cancer
- Infertility treatment
- Food rich in fat and meat
Protective factors are understood to be influences on the body that counteract or prevent the development of ovarian cancer. Such factors include previous pregnancies (gravidities) and long periods of breastfeeding. The “anti-baby pill” (oral contraceptives) also have a beneficial effect. By taking them regularly over a longer period of time, the risk of developing ovarian cancer can be reduced by up to 60%.
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