Diseases Cancer

What Are Symptoms And Treatments For Ovarian Cancer

Published at 02/27/2012 03:36:41

Introduction

Cancer has been claiming lives for centuries now. It is one of the most deadly diseases humanity has ever suffered. During its four stages it slowly draws life out of its victim. Even though cancer now can be treated. it still is a battle between the will to survive and giving up. Like Lance Armstrong said that it is up to us whether we give up or fight. Cancer is of many types,

it can affect almost any part of the body. Even though cancer affects both men and women alike, however there are certain types of cancer that are gender specific. One such type is ovarian cancer to which only women fall prey. It is dangerous because symptoms ovarian cancer is not that easy to identify. Symptoms ovarian cancer is often ignored by women, this results in a delayed diagnosis which forces the patient to follow an aggressive treatment plan.

History

In the past, ovarian cancer was a death sentence to the patient. Lack of proper research facilities, unavailability of modern and state-of-the-art surgical instruments and non-provision of proper drugs resulted in almost 100 percent death rate. Even in these modern times the only way to survive cancer is to get a timely diagnosis of the disease and then it's possible to mitigate the adverse affects of Cancer. The ovum producing organ, ovary iissues are prone to have a cancerous growth. The worst part is that usually signs and symptoms regarding ovarian cancer are extremely hard to read. Symptoms of ovarian cancer maybe present but are so subtle that women tend to ignore it.

Women who have a first degree or second degree relative with ovarian cancer are more likely to have the disease. They may feel ongoing abdominal pain or discomfort. They may also experience belly back cramps, abnormal vaginal bleeding, nausea, urinary urgency, pelvic pain, constipation and bloating. Other symptoms may also include weight loss. The symptoms may vary from one person to another. there can be a build-up of fluid ascites in the abdominal cavity.

Symptoms ovarian cancer investigation among women who went to primary care clinics revealed that women typically exhibited the following signs:

  • Bloating- swelling up or inflating (with liquid or gas)
  • Increased abdominal size
  • Indigestion
  • Urinary symptoms were found in 43 percent of the women studies such as the urge to pass urine
  • Difficulty eating

Apart from the above mentioned symptoms, shortness of breath can also be a symptom of ovarian cancer.

Tips and comments

These symptoms of ovarian cancer were seen to appear more than twelve times per month for a period of time which is less than one year. So if any of the above mentioned symptoms appear, it is time to consult your doctor. An early diagnosis with the help of a physical examination of the pelvic area may be done in the beginning. Similarly, an ultrasound may also be done. A biopsy is the best wayto confirm suspicions about the disease.

The cause of ovarian cancer is not definite. Hereditary disposition can be one reason for having ovarian cancer. Mutations in genes are the real culprit for ovarian cancer. Research revealed that ovarian cancer was caused when the gene p53 underwent mutation. Other genes reported to undergo mutation were NF1, BRCA1, BRCA2, RB1 and cyclin dependent kinase 12. Women who take postmenopausal estrogen replacement are at an increased risk to develop ovarian cancer whereas women who had a tubal ligation for their fallopian tube are at a lower risk to develop the disease. Ovarian cancer may be treated via surgery or chemotherapy. This is all dependent on the stage of cancer.

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