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Ovarian cancer occurs due to the abnormal growth of the cells in the ovaries. These cells proliferate and destroy healthy tissue. The treatment of ovarian cancer is done through surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
Ovarian cancer is diagnosed with the help of many tests and examinations. Some of these diagnostic procedures are:
During the pelvic exam, the doctor inserts the finger into the patient’s vagina and tries to feel the pelvic organs by pressing the abdomen with another hand. The doctor also examines the external genitalia, vagina, and cervix.
Blood Test
A blood test is done to examine the organ's overall function, which also helps to determine overall health. A blood test also helps to determine tumor markers that indicate the presence of cancer. However, these tests cannot tell whether you have cancer or not. But it can help in finding clues about the diagnosis and prognosis.
Imaging Test
Ultrasound and CT scans help to determine the size, shape, and structure of the ovaries. It helps to find the whole image of the ovaries.
Genetic Testing
The doctor will recommend you test the blood sample to look for changes in the gene, which increases the risk of ovarian cancer. The doctor finds it helpful to determine a treatment plan after knowing the inherited change in the DNA. It helps the doctor to make the right decision. You may also share the information with your relatives. It will help them to know about the risk of exact gene change. Visit our cancer care hospital in Bangalore for the best treatment.
After the confirmation of cancer, the doctor will try to determine the cancer stage by going through test results. The stage of ovarian cancer starts from I to IV. Stage I refers to that cancer has not spread beyond the ovaries, and stage IV indicates that cancer has spread to distant areas of the body.
Treatment
The treatment of ovarian cancer includes mainly surgery and chemotherapy. But some other treatment procedures are also followed.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy helps to kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells. It is a drug applied through injection or in the form of medicine taken by mouth. Chemotherapy can also be used in case of advanced stage. In some situations, chemotherapy medicine is heat infused into the abdomen at the time of surgery.
Surgery
With the help of the following surgical procedures, the diseased ovaries are removed from the uterus.
Surgery for Removal of One Ovary
If the cancer is still at the early stage and has not spread beyond one ovary, the affected ovary, along with the fallopian tube, is removed with the help of the surgery. The patient can still be pregnant after carrying out this procedure.
Surgery for Removal of Both Ovaries
If cancer is in both ovaries but has not spread to distant parts, the surgeon will remove both ovaries and fallopian tubes. Even after conducting this procedure, you can become pregnant by using frozen embryos or eggs or with eggs from a donor.
Surgery for Removal of Uterus and the Ovaries
If cancer has spread beyond the ovaries and you do not want to become pregnant, the doctor will remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus, and nearby lymph nodes.
Advanced Cancer Surgery
If cancer has reached the advanced stage, the doctor will try to remove as much cancer as possible. In such a situation, chemotherapy is recommended before or after the surgery.
Immunotherapy helps the immune system to destroy cancer cells. Since cancer cells produce proteins, they can hide from the immune system. But immunotherapy makes the immune system active and helps to fight against the cancer cells. Immunotherapy can also be used in certain situations to treat ovarian cancer. Book an appointment to have the best treatment.
Hormone Therapy
Estrogen hormone helps to grow cancer cells in the ovaries. Hormone therapy prevents the estrogen hormone from growing in the cancer cells by blocking the estrogen. Hormone therapy may be helpful in slow-growing ovarian cancer.
