Ovarian Cancer Signs

What’s the best Ovarian Cancer Information
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer in which cancer cells are formed inside the different parts of the ovary. These cells may not affect the outer surface of the ovaries in the early stages. In most cases, women are suffering from epithelial ovarian cancer. This type of cancer arises primarily in the outer surface of the ovary. Recent studies indicate that ovarian cancer could also develop in the Fallopian tubes.
There are no specific symptoms for ovarian cancer. These signs and symptoms could be confused with other less dangerous diseases. Women suffering from ovarian cancer start showing signs like discomfort or pain in the abdomen, swelling and bloating in the abdomen, urgency to urinate frequently, constipation and other symptoms. Some of the specific symptoms which women complain of are pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding in the vagina or weight loss. Sometimes this may be because of accumulation or build up of fluid in the abdomen.
Ovarian cancer can be classified into four different stages. Each stage shows the extent to which the cancerous cells have spread. If the ovarian cancer is diagnosed in the 1st or 2nd stage, the chances of survival are more. The four different stages of ovarian cancer are:
- Stage 1: Cancer cells are present in one or both the ovaries. The cancer cells develop in one ovary. These cells slowly spread to the outer surface of the organs and affect both the ovaries.
- Stage 2: Cancerous cells have spread to both the ovaries and are moving ahead to attack the other parts of the pelvis. These may include the uterus and fallopian tubes. They may slowly extend to the bladder, colon and rectum.
- Stage 3: In the initial phases of this stage, ovarian cancer has attacked parts of the abdomen in small amounts. Slowly, the cells spread further and affect the abdomen and nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage 4: This is the last stage of ovarian cancer. Cancer cells have spread in the entire body and also attacked other organs like kidney and lungs.
The actual cause of ovarian cancer has still not been understood. If there has been any history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer in your family, you are at a higher risk of developing cancer cells in the ovary. Women who have not been able to conceive a baby or use post menopausal hormone replacement therapy are at a higher risk.
The procedure for diagnosing ovarian cancer includes a physical exam, pelvic exam, ultrasound or trans-vaginal ultrasound and blood tests. A surgery is done to inspect the abdominal cavity and a biopsy is conducted to ensure the presence of abdominal fluid. The treatments for ovarian cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
Surgery may be of different types. In case only one ovary has been affected, you can get the ovary and fallopian tube removed. This procedure is termed as total abdominal hysterectomy. Sometimes women may be asked to get ovaries, womb and fallopian tubes removed. The surgeon may do debulking if cancerous cells have spread to other body parts.
About the Author
David James frequently writes about Ovarian cancer information and has knowledge in this field. To learn more, visit here http://ovariancancerstages.org/.




