Ovarian Cancer
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is the abnormal growth of malignant cells in the ovaries, the egg (ovum) producing part of the female reproductive system. Often, Ovarian cancer goes undetected until it has metastasized (spread) to the pelvis and abdomen. At this late stage, this cancer is difficult to treat. Ovarian Cancer ranks as the 11th most common cancer among women, and it is the 5th leading cause of cancer-related death for women.
What different types of ovarian cancers exist?
Epithelial tumors are both benign and malignant tumors that develop in the epithelium, the thin layer of cells that cover the ovaries. These tumors usually form on the ovaries of women who have stopped their menstrual cycle. Malignant
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Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of the ovaries. Ultrasounds are often the first test performed if a problem with the ovaries is suspected. This imaging can reveal a suspected tumor’s size and composition.
Computed tomography (CT) scans produce detailed, 360 degree images of your body for evaluation by your healthcare provider. CT scans are useful tools in determining whether ovarian cancer has spread to secondary locations.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scans test concentrations of radioactive glucose (a form of sugar) present in the patient’s body via a special camera. Cancer cells absorb an abnormal amount of radioactive glucose due to their high rate of metabolism, thereby making their detection via PET scan highly accurate. PET scans are particularly good at detecting metastases (the spreading) of cancer cells.
Laparoscopy consists of inserting a flexible tube with a camera into the body, through which a doctor can look at the ovaries and other pelvic organs and tissues in the area. The tube is inserted through a small incision (cut) in the lower abdomen and projects images of the ovaries to a video monitor. Laparoscopy provides images of ovaries that help plan surgery or other treatments for Ovarian cancer; they can also help doctors confirm the stage (how far the tumor has spread) of the cancer. Doctors can manipulate small instruments through the laparoscopic incision(s) to perform biopsies.
Biopsy is only way to determine for certain if
To reduce the risk of ovarian or breast cancer some choose to have a procedure done known as an oophorectomy. This is a removal of your ovaries on each side of your uterus that contain eggs and secrete the hormones that control your reproductive cycle. This greatly reduces the amount of hormones estrogen and progesterone circulating in your body which is the hormones breast and ovarian cancers need to grow. Though a generally safe procedure with small risk complications
Another study that was done on ultrasonography was to study the use of contrast agents for ovarian tumors for diagnostic purposes. Transvaginal ultrasound is the most effective method that is used to diagnosis ovarian tumors [2]. A study was done on 61 patients who were given Sonovue and an ultrasound was done either transabdominally or transvaginally, along with both
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that involves the reproductive glands females only, the ovaries. Ovaries contain 3 cells: surface epithelium, germ cells, and stromal cells. The surface epithelium are what cover the outer lining of the ovaries. Germ cells are cells that are bound to form eggs. Stromal cells are cells that release hormones and connects many different structures of the ovaries. Each of the cells can develop into different types of tumors. In most cases of ovarian cancer the epithelial tumors is the most commonly found in ovarian tumors. When being diagnosed with ovarian cancer the 3 main organs affected are the intestines, liver, and stomach.
If you’ve never heard of a PET-CT scanner, you’re not alone. PET-CT scanners are integrated scanning devices that combine images from a positron emission tomography (PET) scan with a computed tomography (CT) scan. When the scans are performed at the same time and with the same machine, they produce detailed pictures of tissues and organs that also reveal any abnormal activity. With a PET-CT scan, doctors can identify cancers and determine their stage.
Malignant struma ovarii tumors are divided into three categories on the basis of histology. (17) The first papillary type is the most common characterized by overlapping nuclei or ground glass appearance. The second follicular type is characterized by vascular or capsular invasion (10). The third type is follicular variant of papillary carcinoma. Metastasis is very rare in case of malignant struma ovarii (5%) which follows the pattern of ovarian tumor. It can metastasize to pelvic, para-aortic lymph nodes, direct spread to omentum and peritoneal cavity and hematologic spread to lung, bone, liver and brain (11, 12). There are a lot of difficulties in the clinical diagnosis of struma ovarii due to the absence of specific diagnostic criteria. The imaging studies used in diagnosing struma ovarii are ultrasonogram, CT and MRI. The findings on imaging studies are also nonspecific. Triple-contrast CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis should be performed to evaluate the extent of disease and the involvement of lymph nodes and other adjacent structures (e.g., bowel). Typically, struma ovarii appear as a multicystic mass with no or moderate cystic wall enhancement. In addition to basic metabolic panel CA-125, CEA, CA19-9 tumor markers along with Iodine-125 uptake are performed preoperatively. CA-125 is found to be
A computed tomography scan provides more detail images than a chest x-ray by creating cross sectional images, this images can help identify enlarge organs or lymph nodes in the neck, chest, abdomen and chest (American Cancer Society). During this test the patient is lays on a flat table that moves in and out of a donut shaped scanner that takes images in different angles. Sometimes contrast medium may be used to highlight abnormal areas in the body. If contrast medium is used, it is the nurse’s responsibility to establish a patent IV, check for iodine allergies, check for kidney function due to contrast nephrotoxicity, check for delay allergies after the procedure, and advise the patient to drink plenty of fluids to eliminate contrast (Leeuwen, Anne 2015). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is only used when spread to the spinal cord and brain are suspected (American Cancer Society). Positron emission tomography (PET) scan uses an IV contrast called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), this contrast is a form of glucose, and because cancer cells reproduce quickly they need more glucose, which is why this contrast highlights the areas where abnormal cells are (Cancer Society). PET scans can be used to monitor how well patients are responding to treatment therapies, they can help identify areas of the body with lymphoma that may appear clear in other tests such as biopsies or CT scans allowing patients to
Cervical cancer is a tumor of the cervix. The cervix is the part of the womb, which projects into the vagina. It measures less than one inch across and about one and a half inches in length. It is a block of a special type of muscle covered by a thin layer of surface cells. Cancer of the cervix develops in these surface cells, which first start to grow in an abnormal way (precancerous cells).
For many diseases, nuclear medicine scans yield the most useful information needed to make a diagnosis or to determine appropriate treatment, if any.
Ovarian growth is a tumor that starts in the ovaries. Ovaries are regenerative organs construct up just in women. The ovaries produce eggs (ova) for spread. During the egg task in the Fallopian tube into the uterus wherever the fertilized egg embeds and found into a fetus. The ovaries are similarly the real source of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Both sides of the uterus on One ovary is given in the pelvis. The ovaries are female reproductive organs situated in the pelvis, approximately the size of an almond. These female reproductive organs are responsible for releasing eggs and producing female hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Various sorts of tumors can make ascending in the ovaries. The larger part of these are
Endometrial and Ovarian Cancer are two of a fatal diseases that occur among woman. Infect Ovarian cancer is more fatal than endometrial cancer and accounts for almost half of the gynecologic cancer mortality in the world. Therefore there needs to be a careful analysis of the contributing factors which increase the risk of these diseases.
Ovarian cancer is less common, with a projected 22, 440 new cases. However, it carries a much higher mortality rate.
Another form of imaging is ultrasound. Ultrasound, which uses very high frequency sound, is directed into the body. And because the tissue interference's reflect sound, doctors are able to produce, by use of a computer, a photograph or moving image on a television. Ultrasound has many application uses on the body, but is more commonly used in examinations of the fetus during pregnancy, because use of radiation may affect the outcome of the baby. Some other practices for ultrasound include examination of the arteries, heart, pancreas, urinary system, ovaries, brain, and spinal cord. And because sound travels well through fluids it is a very useful technique for diagnosing cysts( which are filled with fluid), and fluid filled structures such as the bladder. And since sound is absorbed by air and bone it is impossible to use a ultrasound on bones or lungs.
The word cancer is scary. All cancers take their toll but ovarian cancer by itself is very deadly among cancers in women. The ovarian cancer is a silent killer because the symptoms are often vague ones like, gaseousness indigestion/bloating sensation or a frequent need to pass urine so a patient often presents in an advanced stage to the doctor.
The main treatments dedicated to treat ovarian cancer are: surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy. All of the treatments that a patient receives, purely depends on their individual health. Often doctors will perform two or even more different types of treatment on one patient. Surgery is the most common treatment option. Although every surgery is different. Depending on your health, a doctor has to determine exactly how much surgery a patient needs. For example, for patients who are younger, it is actually possible to treat their cancer without having to remove both the ovaries and the uterus. Treatment also depends on the patients cancer stage. For patients with epithelial cancer, there are two main goals. The goals are staging and debulking. Another treatment option are different forms of therapy. Chemotherapy is one example. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that includes drugs which are given in such a way that allows the drugs to enter the bloodstream and reach all areas of the body. This type of treatment is very helpful for cancers that have spread. Targeted therapy is another form of therapy. This is a newer form of treatment that uses drugs to identify and attack cancer cells while doing the very minimal damage to the healthy cells. It is mainly used to attack the part of the cancer cells that makes them abnormal. Other therapies include hormone
• A PET (positron emission tomography) scan may help to show cancer activity in some other parts of the body. This can be helpful for “staging” the cancer (see