By Deborah Wilson-Brosseau

Ovarian cancer is any cancerous growth that develops in any part of the ovaries.

 Eighth most common cancer among women in the
United States
 Accounts for 3.3% of all new cancer in American women
 Fifth most common cause of cancer death among women due to poor early detection
 One in 71 women will develop ovarian cancer
 One in 95 will die from it
 21,550 new cases each year
 14,600 deaths per year (6)

 Most likely to occur over the age of 50
 After menopause
 Caucasian Women have a higher risk especially
Ashkenazi Jewish descent women
 African-American and Asian women have a lower risk of ovarian cancer
 Half of the ovarian cancer cases will develop in women over the age of 63
 Highest incidence of ovarian cancer occurs in industrialized countries (6)

 It is often called the silent killer because it produces few symptoms in its early stages
 Most women are unaware they have the disease until it has progressed to advanced stages.
 Most early symptoms are vague and either abdominal or gastrointestinal in nature’
 If you have any of the following symptoms that persist for two weeks or more contact your doctor (4,6)

 Digestive symptoms
 Gas, indigestion, constipation
 Bloating, distention or cramping
 Abdominal or low back discomfort
 Pelvic pressure
 Vaginal bleeding in post menopausal woman
 Frequent urination
 Unexplained changes in bowel habits
 Nausea or vomiting
 Pain or swelling in abdomen
 Loss of appetite
 Fatigue
 Pain during intercourse
(4,6)

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 Age is the greatest risk factor
Risk increases after menopause
Family or personal history of cancers of the female reproductive tract or breast that is caused by an inherited the genetic mutation
Early menstruation-before age 12
Late menopause
Use of talcum powder in the genital area
Female workers exposed to asbestos
Genital deodorant sprays
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Eating a diet high in saturated fats
Treatment with androgens (male hormones)
Never having been pregnant
Obesity increases risk
If you have been pregnant, breastfed and took oral contraceptives your risk of developing ovarian cancer is lowered. (1,6)

 A complete medical history to assess all the risk factors
 A thorough bi-manual pelvic examination
 CA-125 assay
 Blood test to determine the level of CA-125
 One or more various imaging procedure
 Ultrasound, CT, MRI
 A lower GI series or barium enema
 Diagnostic laparoscopy for definitive diagnose
 Uses a thin instrument inserted in the abdomen to visualize the organs inside the abdominal cavity(4,6)

 Three main types
 Epithelial Cells
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90% of all ovarian cancers develop from epithelial cells lining the surface of the ovaries
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Stromal Cells
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5% of ovarian cancers begin in the stromal cells that produce estrogen and progesterone
Germ Cells
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2% of ovarian tumors develop in the cells that would become eggs.
Many are benign (noncancerous)
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(2,4)

 Stage 1- Tumor limited to ovary or ovaries
 Stage 2- Ovarian tumor with pelvic extension, involves the uterus or fallopian tubes and/or other pelvic organs
 Stage 3- Tumor involving the upper abdomen or lymph nodes
 Stage 4- Tumor involving distant organs including pleural space or hepatic/splenic parenchyma (6)

 Three treatments for ovarian cancer
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Surgery
 It is done to remove as much of the tumor as possible and it is usually followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation
Chemotherapy
 It is used to target cells that have traveled to other organs and throughout the body via the lymphatic system or the blood stream
Radiation
 It uses high energy, highly focused x-rays to target very specific areas of cancer. A machine with external energy beam and radioactive liquids are used for radiation treatments. (4,6)

 Chemotherapy is most often a systemic treatment
 It is used to kill cancer cells
 It is administered several ways
 Intravenous, IV
 Travels throughout the body
 Orally
 Travels throughout the body
 Intraperitoneal
 Is localized in the abdominal cavity (4,6)

 A combination of two or more drugs should be given to help to kill cancer cells
 Platinum compounds is the single most active drug in the treatment of Ovarian cancer
 The combination of intravenous platinum compound such as cisplatin and a taxane such as paclitaxel is the first line for many patients
 3 to 6 cycles of chemotherapy should reduce the size of the tumor (4,6)

 A chemotherapy treatment used for testicular, ovarian, bladder or lung cancer
 Intravenous- Parenteral Only
 It is sometimes combined with other cancer drugs
 Some Side Effects
 Altered taste, stomatitis, severe prolong vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, renal toxicity, weakness, infections, hair loss and peripheral neuropathy
 Anorexia and weight loss (3)

Stage 1------92.8%
Stage 2------78.6%
Stage 3------50%
Stage 4------17.5%
(6)

 Cancer can cause chronic nausea and early satiety
 Fatigue
 Pain
 Mental Stress
 Vomiting
 Metabolic changes
 Muscle wasting
 Altered taste perception intestinal cramping
 Diarrhea
 Constipation (5)

 Drink lots of fluid
 Eat small meals
 Have salty soup and broths
 Don’t eat or drink foods that will increase gas
 No caffeine
 No foods that contain high fat
 Talk to your doctor about using digestive enzyme replacements for prolong diarrhea (5)

 Decrease Ovulation
 Pregnancy stops ovulation
 Multiple pregnancies
 Breastfeeding children
 Taking oral contraceptives
 Genetic Testing
 To detect if you are carrying certain genes that increase your risk
 Test positive for BRCA1 OR
BRCA2
 Surgery
 Having a tubal ligation lowers your risk
 Hysterectomy also lowers your risk
 Screening
 Women at high risk should talk to their doctor
 Regular Screening
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Blood test and ultrasound
 Annual pelvic exam (6)

 a support group for women diagnosed with gynecological cancer, their families and friends to share experiences.
 When: Meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month from 5 to 6:15 p.m.
 Where : Banner Desert Cancer Center
 Phone Number: (480) 412-HOPE (4673).
 Address: 1400 S. Dobson Road
 Mesa, AZ 85202

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Cancer.org. Cancer. 23 January 2012.
<http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/overviewguide/ovarian-cancer-overview-what-isovarian-cancer>.
Cherry, James Michael. Comparative study of molecular changes in ovarian tumor progression and the identification of biomarkers. 2009. <http://www.grin.com/en/doc/275123/comparativestudy-of-molecular-changes-in-ovarian-tumor-progression-and>.
Crowe, Zaneta M. Pronsky and Sr Jeanne P. "Food Medication Interaction." 2010: 84.
Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. "Cancer-Principles and Practice of Oncology 9th Edition." 2011:
1368-1377.
Sharon Rady Rolfes, Kathryn Pinna and Ellie Whitney. "Understanding Normal and Clinical
Nutrition." Sharon Rady Rolfes, Kathryn Pinna and Ellie Whitney. Belmont, Ca: Wadworth, 2009.
907-910.
Thompson. "The Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer Third Edition Volume 2." 2010: 1090-1097.