What is Ovarian Cancer?

Cancer is the unwanted and unnecessary growth of the body cells. Any cells in the body can grow out of control and turn into cancer. A common type of cancers in women, ovarian cancer, is the fifth deadly type of cancer. Ovarian cancer was previously believed to begin in the ovaries and remain a benign tumour (localised tumour), but researches have shown that cancer can extend to fallopian tubes.

The ovaries are made up of three different types of cells:

• Epithelial cells Epithelial tumours start from the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary. Most ovarian tumours are epithelial cell tumours.

• Germ cells Germ cell tumours start from the cells that produce the eggs (ova). 

• Stromal cells Stromal tumours start from structural tissue cells that hold the ovary together and produce the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

All of these cells can develop into a cancerous tumour; however, in the early stages of ovarian cancer, the cells exist on a microscopic level, so it’s difficult to diagnose. Some of these tumours are benign (non-cancerous) and never spread beyond the ovary. Malignant (cancerous) or borderline (low malignant potential) ovarian tumours can spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body and can be fatal.

Researchers have considered that ovarian cancer is a silent killer with few if any, early symptoms. Although, it turns out ovarian cancer may not be as fatal as we once thought. Some early signs of the cancer are essential to recognise because more than 70% of women who have ovarian cancer are diagnosed later and have a poorer prognosis.

• The five-year survival rate in early-stage ovarian cancer is 80% to 90%.
• The five-year survival rate in advanced-stage ovarian cancer varies from 28% to 40%.

A large ration of suffering women ignore early signs of ovarian cancer or think that symptoms are simply the complications of ageing, weight gain or other less severe problems making ovarian cancer challenging to detect early when it is most curable. It s essential to take ovarian cancer symptoms seriously because there are no screening methods for ovarian cancer for women lacking signs and do not have a family history or BRCA genetic mutations.

While ovarian cancer symptoms can be mild, the key is paying attention to symptoms which last. Consult your doctor if your symptoms are sustained and do not go away within one to three weeks or with over-the-counter medications don’t help. Knowing the early signs of ovarian cancer can help diagnose an earlier stage one of the more helpful. If you feel this is not normal, there is a change,’ then you need an evaluation. 

Early Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. The risk of developing ovarian cancer sometime in the lifetime is 1 in 78. That’s why women should be aware of the symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer. Early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

• feeling full quickly
• abdominal bloating
• changes in appetite
• persistent pelvic pain
• urinary symptoms

These symptoms together have been referred to as the ovarian cancer symptom index. When these symptoms appear more than 12 times per month for less than one year, some organisations trusted sources consider a cancer warning sign. While these symptoms may seem mild at first, having the symptoms once or twice doesn’t indicate ovarian cancer, when there’s a regular pattern of two or more symptoms, becoming worse can be a sign of ovarian cancer.

Bloating

Bloating is an uncomfortable feeling of fullness in your belly, is quite common. The food choices, lifestyles, and other factors are contributing factors that are the major causes. While it is normal to feel bloated, specifically around your monthly cycle, consistent bloating lasting for days and weeks is not good. Persistently feeling bloated can be one of the earliest and prevalent signs of ovarian cancer. Although every time the bloating is not necessarily a symptom but bloating accompanied by abdominal distension could be a red flag.

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Increased satiety

A loss of appetite is a common ovarian cancer symptom. Along with the loss of appetite, early signs of ovarian cancer include satiety and difficulty eating regular meals. Ascites, a fluid build-up that causes some ovarian cancer patients to feel bloated, may also result in a loss of appetite. If this is a new hindrance in eating habits for you, contact the doctor.

Indigestion

In addition to increased satiety, the build-up of fluid in the abdomen can also lead to indigestion. Women have experienced gas for six months straight leading up to the ovarian cancer diagnosis. It is a common symptom among ovarian cancer patients, who experience general discomfort in the abdomen area, including bloating and constipation due to the tumours.

Difficulty in breathing

Feeling pressure in lungs Though the discomfort would come and go. Sometimes breathing difficulty is severe, mainly when you lie down. Late-stage ovarian cancer can cause breathing troubles. As tumours grow in size, they may begin to press against the lungs, obstructing a patient’s inhale and exhale ability.

Constipation

GI issues can be linked to many problems ranging from stress, anxiety to irritable bowel syndrome and ovarian cancer. Comin back to ovarian cancer,  constipation is a common GI symptom. Pay attention to even minor changes in your bowel habits; specifically, new constipation that is not relieved by any remedies or medications can be a sign.

Cramps

It’s possible for tumours to growing in the pelvis to cause pain in the lower abdomen. The discomfort may usually feel similar to period cramps; many women assume this simply cramps and ignore the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Since ovarian cancer is diagnosed chiefly in post-menopause women, menstrual-like cramping in the abdomen is the flag sign of ovarian cancer.

Back pain

Women with ovarian cancer experience back pain when fluid accumulates in the pelvis or when the tumour spreads in the abdomen or pelvis, directly irritating tissue in the lower back. Persistent pressure in the stomach and pelvis and lower back pain that lasts for one to three weeks can signal a problem. While this minor ovarian cancer symptom can accompany any number of conditions, it is essential to note if the pain is new to you. It does not come and go and cannot be easily attributed to other factors.

Change in bladder function

Bladder-related issues can signal a gynecologic or reproductive problem, like ovarian cancer if you experience urinary difficulties, such as pain when urinating or urgency, which is new and lasts for more than several days, consult the doctor.

• Feeling pressure or pain in the bladder
• Frequent urination
• Sudden, urgent need to urinate

Bleeding

Irregular bleeding is most common among women with ovarian stromal tumours, which only account for 1% of all ovarian cancers. According to the ACS, stromal tumours often produce oestrogen, which can cause period-like bleeding, even after menopause. Since the bleeding is only a symptom of 1% of ovarian cancer cases, it’s not high up on the list of signs to look out for.

Risk factors for ovarian cancer

Some women are at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer than others with factors including:

• Age. Age is the primary risk factor. Younger women do get ovarian cancer, but the ratio is low. Ovarian cancer is diagnosed mainly between the ages of 60 and 64.
• Chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease increase the risk.
• HRT. Previous use of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) may increase the risk, but studies have been inconclusive.
• Obesity. Obesity can be a risk factor because of the relationship between weight and sex hormones.
• Family history. A family history of having ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or other reproductive system cancers may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
• Nulliparity. Never giving birth (nulliparity) increases the risk of ovarian cancer.

Takeaway

The concern isn’t that these symptoms appear out of nowhere, but that most women don’t necessarily know what and when to be concerned. That’s why it’s essential to know your risk factors and get an annual examination from a gynaecologist. If you feel like having symptoms that you think could be ovarian cancer, never ignore them. Keep a record of how often the symptoms occur, and speak with the doctor about any symptoms appearing to be consistent and worsen over time.

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Sources:

https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.22371

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2891150

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/ovarian-cancer/advanced/treatment

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/about/what-is-ovarian-cancer.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2891150/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2891150/

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/about/key-statistics.html