viernes, 4 de marzo de 2011

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

WHAT IS IT?

Women have two ovaries that are in the pelvis and communicate with the rest of the female reproductive tubes. Its main function is reproduction and, subject thereto, the production of female hormones. The ovaries have a coating formed by epithelial cells. Malignant transformation of these cells appear the vast majority of ovarian cancers.

It develops mainly in women between 50 and 70 years, globally, about 1 in 7 women develop the disease. It is the third most common cancer of female reproductive system, but instead more women die of ovarian cancer than any other that affects the reproductive system.

CAUSES

Currently, it is unknown how and why it appears ovarian cancer. However, known hormonal and reproductive factors that may favor their appearance as infertility or a small number of pregnancies. Genetic factors are decisive in only 10-15% of cases. In these cases are associated with breast cancer and ovarian cancer in a family or even in one person. It is suspected that some environmental factors like dietary fat, using talcum powder or some virus infections, may have some importance in the development of this disease. It is estimated that 1.5% of women are diagnosed with this disease throughout his life. Although ovarian cancer can occur in young people, the vast majority of cases occur after menopause.

OVARIAN CANCER SYMPTOMS

It is a disease that usually produces few symptoms and can reach very large sizes before causing. The first symptom may be a slight discomfort in the lower abdomen, similar to indigestion, the uterine bleeding is common. The fact that a postmenopausal patient have larger ovaries may be an early sign of cancer, although its growth may also be due to cysts, noncancerous masses and other disorders. Also, you may receive fluid in the abdomen and it can swell, because this or ovarian enlargement. At this stage, women may have pelvic pain, anemia and weight loss. In rare cases, ovarian cancer secretes hormones that cause an overgrowth of the uterine lining, an increase in breast size or increased hair development.

PREVENTION

Ovarian cancer is less common in women who have had several children. It is also less common among women who take oral contraceptives for years. However, no study has shown that the lower probability of ovarian cancer in women who have taken contraceptives be offset by other side effects such as increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and possibly other tumors. It is therefore not justified preventive use in the general population. A special case is the very high risk women, such as those with a hereditary syndrome of breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA), which is studying the protective role of anovulatory and can even be proposed to the patient, removal of both ovaries at age 35 if you have already fulfilled their desire of offspring.

DIAGNOSTICS

The diagnosis of ovarian cancer in its earliest stages is difficult to establish because the symptoms usually do not appear until the cancer has spread and that many other less serious illnesses have similar symptoms.

The diagnosis is usually suspected when a pelvic mass is detected in a routine gynecological examination. Ultrasonography, axial tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and a blood test called CA-125 are stronger this suspect will be confirmed in the operation.

TREATMENTS

The factor that most influences the chances of success in treating ovarian cancer is surgery to completely remove the tumor. In most cases, completely remove the uterus and both ovaries are removed or biopsied regional nodes, and smears and biopsies are taken around the abdomen. In young women with very early tumors and to have children can sometimes opt for a conservative surgery to preserve fertility. Except in very aggressive tumors and in very early phases always be given chemotherapy after surgery. Ovarian cancer in its early stages is highly curable. In intermediate and advanced stages the survival results are worse but have improved greatly in recent years. In any case, remains the most deadly gynecological tumor cause. In addition to the advances made in treatment, the reduction in deaths from this disease would come from prevention and early diagnosis.