Ovarian Cyst Symptoms | Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Ovarian cancer accounts for 25% of all malignant neoplasms of the female genital tract. However, there are more deaths from this cancer each year in the United States of endometrial cancer and cervical cancer combined. The risk of spontaneous ovarian cancer is about 1.7%. Epithelial ovarian cancer causes 15,520 deaths expected in 2008. The mean age at diagnosis is 60. There has been a significant improvement in the survival rate five years for patients with ovarian cancer. This is probably a combination of improved tumor volume reduction surgery and chemotherapy best options.

Most patients with ovarian cancer have no signs or symptoms until the disease spreads to the upper abdomen. 70% of patients present with advanced disease. The symptoms of ovarian cancer in early stage may include nonspecific pelvic discomfort, urinary frequency and constipation are caused by a pelvic mass enlargement. With advanced disease, patients experience abdominal pain, bloating, anorexia, nausea and constipation.

The best tumor marker for ovarian cancer is CA 125. lower elevations of CA 125 can also be seen in endometriosis, benign tumors, fibroids and pregnant and postpartum women. In addition, moderate increases in CA 125 can be seen in adnocarcinoma others such as breast and endometrial cancer. The sensitivity of CA 125 is 70% to 80% and a specificity of 98.6% to 99.4%. However, medium-risk population with low prevalence of ovarian cancer, the false positive may be unacceptably high.

Signs Symptoms Cervical Cancer | Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

The symptoms of ovarian cancer into account especially when growing for some time and the mass becomes large enough cancer. Some women, however, may experience symptoms such as pelvic pain, even in the early stages. Because the symptoms are vague and often are similar to those of common benign conditions, victims tend to ignore them.

Detection of ovarian cancer is difficult in its early stages, because the two small organs are almond shaped deep within the abdominal cavity, one on each side of the uterus.

Among the common early symptoms are bloating, pressure, pain or discomfort caused by the accumulation of fluid or masses within the abdominal cavity. Fluid also may accumulate around the lungs, causing breathing problems, if the cancer spreads to the diaphragm.

Because of the pressure in the stomach, you can also lose your appetite or experience a feeling of fullness, even after a very light meal. When the tumor begins to exert pressure on the bowel or bladder, the victim may experience nausea, vomiting, gas, diarrhea, constipation or frequent urination. Some other symptoms, although not as common are fever, vaginal bleeding and lower back pain. You can also experience unexplained weight gain or loss, abnormal fatigue or changes in bowel habits. If symptoms persist despite the normal procedures for change of diet, exercise, or use of laxatives, the patient should not delay in consulting a doctor.