The
ovaries are two small organs located on either side of the uterus in a
woman’s body. They make hormones, including estrogen, which trigger
menstruation. Every month, the ovaries release a tiny egg. The egg makes
its way down the fallopian tube to potentially be fertilized. This
cycle of egg release is called ovulation.
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can form in the
ovaries. They are very common. They are particularly common during the
childbearing years.
Ovarian cancer is called "the silent
killer" because it usually goes undetected until its advanced stages. It
is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among American women,
according to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA), and strikes
one in 55 women in this country.Ovarian cancer is defined in four "stages," with the first three divided into subgroups A, B and C, depending on the cancer's progress.
In Stage I, the cancer is limited to one or both ovaries. In Stage II, it has spread (metastasized) to other reproductive organs. When caught in these stages, women have about a 90 to 95 percent five-year survival rate, according to OCNA.
In Stage III, the cancer has spread to the abdominal lining or lymph nodes. Stage IV cancer has metastasized to the lungs, liver or sites outside the abdomen. When diagnosed in these stages, the chance of five-year survival is only about 25 percent.
In the United States, 75 percent of ovarian cancer cases are detected in Stages III and IV.
TYPES OF OVARIAN CYSTS
1 Follicle Cyst
During a woman’s
menstrual cycle, an egg grows in a sac called a follicle. This sac is
located inside the ovaries. In most cases, this follicle or sac breaks
open and releases an egg. But if the follicle doesn’t break open, the
fluid inside the follicle can form a cyst on the ovary.
2 Corpus Luteum Cysts
Follicle sacs typically
dissolve after releasing an egg. But if the sac doesn’t dissolve and
the opening of the follicle seals, additional fluid can develop inside
the sac and this accumulation of fluid causes a cyst.
Other types of ovarian cysts include:
Dermoid cysts: sac-like growths on the ovaries that can contain hair, fat, and other tissue
Cystadenomas: non-cancerous growths that can develop on the outer surface of ovaries
Endometriomas: tissues that normally grow inside the uterus can develop outside the uterus and attach to the ovaries, resulting in a cyst
SYMPTOMS OF OVARIAN CYST
Early symptoms of ovarian cyst are often mild, making this disease difficult to detect. The symptoms of the cysts vary from woman to woman. However some of the most important early symptoms may include:- An unusual feeling of fullness or discomfort in the pelvic region
- Unexplainable indigestion, gas, or bloating that is not relieved with over-the-counter antacids
- Pain/discomfort during sexual intercourse or exercise
- Abnormal bleeding/unexpected vaginal bleeding
- Pressure on the rectum or bladder.
- Aching, swelling, pain, or pressure in the lower abdomen
- Menstrual irregularities;
Early detection of ovarian cancer offers a 90% cure rate. Sadly, a lack of symptoms from this silent disease means that about 75% of ovarian cancer cases will have spread to the abdomen by the time they are detected and, unfortunately, most patients die within five years.
DIAGNOSIS OF OVARIAN CYSTS
Symptomless ovarian cancer is most often detected during a woman's
regular gynecological examination. Your physician will palpitate your
ovaries during your pelvic and rectal exam for the presence of ovarian cysts
or fibroid tumors. If any abnormalities are noted, he will follow up
with further testing which may include an ultrasound and chest X-ray. If further testing is required, a laparoscopy may be performed. These tests are useful in evaluating tumor growth, however neither of them has been proven as a reliable way to screen for ovarian cancer. Ultrasound can detect changes, but it does not give enough information alone to diagnose ovarian cancer. The CA 125 blood test can return positive results when no cancer is present due to other conditions a woman may experience including fibroid tumors, endometriosis, pelvic infection, pregnancy, or other non-gynecological problems.
Although these methods of screening for ovarian cancer look promising, further study is needed before either of these tests are routinely used to screen for ovarian cancer.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT FERTILITY?
While some ovarian cysts may be benign, it may affect/block fertility
when it interferes with the normal process of ovulation(the process
where egg is released for fertilization by the sperm).
RISK FACTORS OF OVARIAN CYST
Age : specifically women who have gone through menopause. Women over the age of 50 are at greater risk
Lifestlye: Obesity, Smoking
Not having children or not breastfeeding: However, having two or three children can cut your risk by as much as
30% over women who never conceive or give birth. Having five or more
children reduces the risk up to 50%, and breastfeeding your children can
further reduce your risk.
Women who use oral contraceptives
for at least five years reduce their chance of developing ovarian
cancer by half for the short-term following use and possibly for
lifetime. The longer you use the pill, the lower your risk.
Taking fertility drugs (e.g Clomid)
Hormone replacement therapy
Family or personal history of ovarian cancer:
- An immediate (mother, sister, or daughter) family member who has had ovarian cancer increases your risk of developing this disease about three times, giving you a 5% to 7% risk of future ovarian cancer.
- When the cause is genetic, ovarian cancer usually shows up a decade earlier in each successive generation. (If your mother had ovarian cancer in her 60s, you stand a good chance that this disease will develop in you in your 50s.)
- Genetic counseling is a good idea for women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancers. Women with a family history may opt for oophorectomy, although this procedure does not offer absolute protection it does reduce risk by 75% to 90%
Others:
- Research has determined that women who use powders to dust their genital areas have a 60% higher risk of ovarian cancer. Feminine deodorant sprays can almost double your risk.
- Tubal ligation reduces a woman's risk up to 70%.
TREATMENT OF OVARIAN CYST
The
treatment for ovarian cancer
varies according to a number of factors. For most women, the
first treatment
is also a diagnostic procedure which involves surgery to determine
the extent to which the disease has spread. As a result of surgery, the
cancer will be
staged
.
Stages range from I to IV, with I being the earliest and IV being
the most advanced stage. Treatment of ovarian cancer is based on the
stage and grade of the disease. A pathologist will determine the grade
(how likely it is to spread) of the malignancy. Hysterectomy with salpingo- oophorectomy (removal the fallopian tubes and one or both ovaries) will most often follow a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Young women who still desire children and who have certain types of early ovarian cancer confined to one ovary may be able to have only the diseased ovary removed.
Chemotherapy or radiation will follow the hysterectomy based on individual cases.
Remember, the best way to detect ovarian cancer is by regular pelvic examinations. See your gynecologist for a Pap smear (screens for cervical cancer only) and pelvic/rectal exam yearly or as your physician determines best for you.
TAKE A MINUTE TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH FRIENDS
STAY HEALTHY.
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