Ovarian cancer – a malignant disease that affects, as a rule, women over the age of 50. The pathology is quite common and ranks second after cervical cancer. In the early stages, the signs of ovarian cancer are easily confused with the clinical manifestations of another pathology. The disease is characterized by latent development, which leads to late diagnosis and a high mortality rate. ""Silent killer"" – this is what doctors call this disease. The prognosis of survival after surgery for ovarian cancer depends on many factors: the age of the patient, the stage of the disease, the presence of concomitant pathology, emotional and psychological mood, etc.
Depending on the structure, the following types of cancer are distinguished:
- endometrioid (primary);
- secondary;
- metastatic.
The causes of the disease have not yet been clarified. However, there are certain factors that increase the probability of the disease in a woman: hormonal disorders, a hereditary factor, the presence of certain gynecological diseases, exposure to the body, unhealthy food, harmful impurities and an unfavorable environmental situation.
Hormonal factor. According to doctors, there is a connection between ovarian cancer and the number of births and the hormonal background. Thus, pregnancy, breastfeeding and taking oral contraceptives reduce the risk of developing pathology. And the early onset of menstruation, infertility and late menopause, on the contrary, are factors that provoke the occurrence of the disease.
Heredity. If the disease was detected in a mother, sister or grandmother, a woman should be especially attentive and undergo regular professional examinations by a gynecologist. Analysis of tumor markers of ovarian cancer will help detect the disease at an early stage of development.
Unhealthy food. According to experts, pathology is diagnosed more often in women who consume excessive amounts of animal fats.
Harmful impurities. The use of talc for hygiene purposes can also provoke the development of ovarian cancer.
Classification of pathology:
- first stage – organic lesions under one ovary;
- second stage – damage to two ovaries;
- third stage – occurrence of metastases along the peritoneum;
- fourth stage – large distant metastases.
The disease is characterized by non-specific manifestations and is often disguised as one or another pathology. These can be diseases of the stomach and urinary system. A false diagnosis, as a rule, is made due to the similarity of the symptoms.
The first signs of ovarian cancer at an early stage:
- intestinal bloating, constant feeling of overeating;
- unpleasant sensations and pains in the pelvic area;
- chronic upset stomach, decreased appetite;
- rapid change in body weight;
- pains and discomfort in the lumbar region.
In the presence of symptoms, it is necessary to undergo a full diagnosis and start treatment for ovarian cancer as early as possible.
Gynecological examination. A doctor will be able to detect large neoplasms when examining a woman on a gynecological chair.
Dopplerography. Doppler imaging is often used to diagnose a malignant tumor. With its help, you can determine the blood flow in the desired area and the presence of newly formed vessels.
Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer by ultrasound will help detect even minor tumors with a diameter of less than 1.5 cm.
CT. Computed tomography will clarify the size of the neoplasm, the degree of its development and the presence of metastases.
Determination of tumor markers in the blood – a modern type of diagnostics that will allow detecting the presence and level of substances released during the vital activity of cancer cells.
The type of treatment depends on the age of the patient, her general condition and stage of the tumor.
Surgical operation includes removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and omentum. As a rule, appendages are removed from both sides. In addition, metastases are removed during the operation and the lymph nodes are inspected with further histology. If we are talking about a woman of childbearing age, then the doctor, taking into account the clinic and stage of the tumor, can recommend unilateral adnexectomy and omentectomy with mandatory chemotherapy. This will preserve a woman's reproductive function.
Chemotherapy is given before and after surgery. For this purpose, cytostatics are used: cisplatin and melphalan. Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer with metastases as an independent treatment is justified only in the case when surgery does not make sense.
On our site you will be able to make an appointment with a specialist who will tell you whether a relapse is possible after removal of the ovaries, and will help decide on research.
According to statistics, if the disease was detected at an early stage, patients who received qualified help live for more than 10 years. With ovarian cancer of the third stage – no more than five years. But here too there are many nuances. Therefore, there is no unequivocal answer to the question of how long people live with serous ovarian cancer.
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