The ovary is the female reproductive organs that produce eggs and the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer develops when cells in the ovaries begin to grow out of control.
Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women in Peninsular Malaysia, making up 5% of all female cancer cases, according to the Malaysian National Cancer Registry, 2007-2011.
Like many cancers, ovarian cancer may not produce symptoms in the early stages. However, at an advanced stage, the common symptoms include:
Like many cancers, ovarian cancer may not produce symptoms in the early stages. However, at an advanced stage, the common symptoms include:
First steps in evaluating a patient with a known or suspected diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Uses sound waves to create an image of internal organs, including the ovaries, uterus and cervix.
To detect tumors or recurrences in other areas of the body, such as the head.
is an imaging test that helps reveal how your tissues and organs are functioning. A PET scan uses a radioactive drug (tracer) to show this activity. This scan can sometimes detect disease before it shows up on other imaging tests.
Staging of ovarian cancer refers to the extent to which it has spread to other organs or tissues.
The stages of ovarian cancer inclusive of:
| Stage | Sites |
|---|---|
| I | The cancer is confined to the ovaries. |
| II | The cancer is in one or both ovaries and has spread to the pelvic regions. |
| III | The cancer is in one or both ovaries, and cancer has either spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen or to the lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen. |
| IV | In the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer, cancer has metastasized to distant sites, such as the inside of the spleen, liver, lungs or other organs outside the abdomen and pelvic region. |
Treatment for ovarian cancer depends on the type of ovarian cancer you have and how far it has spread. Most people have a combination of:
To locate and remove visible signs of cancer in a process called debulking.
To block the enzyme poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) from identifying damaged DNA inside cancer cells, PARP inhibitors may stop cancer cells from repairing themselves.
To deliver high doses of chemotherapy drug combinations to tumours, while reducing damage to the rest of your body.
Delivery of high dose radiation to kill the cancer cells.
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