Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women worldwide and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. The risk increases with age, with the majority of cases occurring in women over 50.
Preventive factors for reducing the risk of Ovarian cancer include
- Having one or more full-term pregnancies
- Breastfeeding
- Tubal ligation
- Long-term use of birth control pills
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Regular physical activity
- Consuming balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Women with family history of breast /ovarian cancer benefit from germline BRCA testing and prophylactic risk reducing removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Early diagnosis is challenging because symptoms are often vague and non-specific.
Common symptoms include
- Abdominal bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary urgency or frequency
Treatment options depend on the stage and type of ovarian cancer but may include
- Surgery-Early-stage ovarian cancer is often treated with surgery to remove the tumor, while advanced-stage cancer usually requires a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery is usually the first step in treating ovarian cancer. The goal is to remove as much of the cancerous tissue as possible while preserving healthy tissue and organs. Surgeons may perform debulking surgery, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
- Chemotherapy-After surgery, chemotherapy is often recommended to kill any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. Chemotherapy drugs are given either intravenously or orally and may be administered in cycles over several months.
- Targetted Therapy- Ovarian cancers may be treated with targeted therapy drugs that specifically target cancer cells or their surrounding environment. These drugs may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy for reducing the rsik of recurrence after completion of treatment.
Alongside cancer treatment, supportive care is essential for managing symptoms, minimizing side effects of treatment, and improving quality of life. This may include medications for pain management, nutritional support, counselling, and other supportive services.