Getting to know that you have cancer can be very difficult and life-changing. It is a life-threatening disease if not detected earlier. Ovarian cancer is not easy to detect; therefore, it is harder to treat than other cancers. 

In this article, Dr. Sandeep Nayak from MACS clinic cancer hospital in Bangalore talks about ovarian cancer.

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Cancer develops in a person’s body if the cells start growing abnormally and form a tumor. This can happen anywhere in the body. If the cancer cells develop in a woman’s ovaries, it is called ovarian cancer. 

Ovaries are an essential reproductive organ. They are two female reproductive organs producing eggs. They also produce progesterone and estrogen.

Cancerous or malignant tumors grow fast and can spread through your body. If the cancer is left untreated, it can spread to other areas of the body. If the tumor is non-cancerous or benign, it will not spread to other areas of the body. It will stay in one place and will grow slowly over time. 

Dr. Sandeep Nayak is one of the best oncologists in India, with over 15 years of experience in treating cancer patients successfully. He is the founder of MACS clinic, one of the best cancer hospitals in Bangalore. Dr. Sandeep Nayak is regarded as one of the best oncologists in India by Clinicspots.

Symptoms

Ovarian cancer can begin, and spread through your abdomen before showing any symptoms and making the detection of cancer difficult, says Dr. Nayak.

If you experience any symptoms, they can include: 

• Pain, discomfort, or bloating in your pelvis and abdomen
• You may notice changes in your eating habits. You might lose your appetite and get full early.
• You will experience belching and bloating, and stomach pain.
• You may experience abnormal bleeding or vaginal discharge even when it is not your menstrual cycle, or you have gone through menopause. 
• Feeling lumps or increased size of the abdomen. 
• Urge to urinate frequently or urgently.

If the ovarian cancer is not caught early, it can show symptoms like: 

• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Indigestion
• Weight loss
• Constipation

Types

The ovaries are made up of three types of cells. Each of these cells can develop a different kind of tumor:

• Epithelial ovarian carcinomas: Forms a tissue layer outside of the ovaries. 
• Stromal tumors: These tumors grow in hormone-producing cells. 
• Germ cell tumors: These tumors form in the egg-producing cells. These are rare.

Stages

Your doctor finds out the ovarian cancer stage based on how far cancer has spread, says Dr. Nayak. There are 4 stages of this, and each stage has substages:

• Stage 1: 

• Stage 1: ovarian cancer has 3 substages:

• Stage 1A: One of the ovaries is affected by cancer. 

• Stage 1B: Both ovaries contain cancerous cells. 

• Stage 1C: The cancer cells are present outside the ovary.

• Stage 2: In this stage, cancer has spread to the pelvic area.

• Stage 2A: The cancer is spread to the fallopian tubes or uterus.

• Stage 2B: Cancer has reached the rectum or bladder.

• Stage 3: 

• Stage 3 has 3 substages:

• Stage 3A: Cancer has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining and lymph nodes of the abdomen.

• Stage 3B: The malignancy has progressed from the pelvis to the abdomen’s lining and lymph nodes.

• Stage 3C: 3/4th of an inch of cancer cells are seen outside the liver or on the abdomen. But it is not spread to the liver. 

• Stage 4: The tumor is spread past the abdomen, pelvis, and lymph nodes to the liver or lungs.

• Stage 4A: The malignant cells are in the fluid that is present around the lungs.
• Stage 4B:  This is the most advanced stage, in which the cells have penetrated the liver or a distant organ such as the brain.

Diagnosis

According to Dr. Nayak from MACS clinic cancer hospital in Bangalore, it would be much easier to treat ovarian cancer if it is detected in earlier stages, but it is not easy to see. 

You may not be able to feel a tumor because your ovaries are located deep in your abdominal cavity. That is the reason it’s essential to talk to your doctor if you see any unusual symptoms. Also, there are no screening tests for ovarian cancer like breast cancer. 

If your doctor suspects you have ovarian cancer, they will prescribe a pelvic exam. This can assist your doctor in determining whether there are any anomalies, although a small tumor may be difficult to see.

Your doctor may perform the following tests: 

1. Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVUS) 

It is an imaging test that detects cancers in your reproductive organs using sound waves. However, TVUS cannot determine if a tumor is malignant.

2. Blood tests

A CA-125 test is performed to determine whether the tumor is cancerous. If the test shows high levels of CA-125, your doctor determines that the cancer is present. 

3. Biopsy 

A sample of your ovarian tissues will be taken and examined under the microscope.

4. PET scan

This test involves a special dye that has radioactive tracers. This can be injected or swallowed. Organs and tissues absorb these tracers allowing your doctor to check if the organs are working well.

Treatment

According to Dr. Nayak, the following are some of the treatment options available for treating ovarian cancer:

Surgery

Surgery is a standard treatment for ovarian cancer. The surgery intends to remove the tumor entirely or as much as possible. Often, the removal of the uterus is necessary. 

Your doctor may recommend the removal of both the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic tissues. 

Some patients have early-stage cancers where it is possible to use minimally invasive techniques to remove the ovarian tumors or damaged tissue.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves the use of medications that are used to destroy cancerous cells. It is usually suggested by your doctor to get chemotherapy before or after the surgery to shrink or kill the cancerous cells respectively.

Radiotherapy 

Radiotherapy uses radiation rays to kill cancer cells. It is used to treat advanced cancer if other treatments are not effective. Chemotherapy is also used to relieve symptoms like pain, discomfort, or bleeding.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is composed of medications that attack the ability of cancer cells to grow and survive. It is an excellent treatment option if you have ovarian cancer that has returned.

Hysterectomy

This procedure involves removing the uterus and cervix that have been diseased.

Laparotomy

During this process, your surgeon will create an incision in the abdomen to remove cancerous tissue and abdominal fluid if necessary.

Conclusion:

Ovarian cancers are not easy to detect because they primarily develop without symptoms. This makes it challenging to know that the cancer is present and it can grow without you knowing that it is present there. So, it becomes crucial that you talk to your doctor if you see any unusual symptoms. 

You can visit Dr. Sandeep Nayak at MACS clinic cancer hospital in Bangalore for further queries and inquiries.