Ovarian Cancer:

Information, Diagnosis, Treatment

Olivia McAdams
Mr. Buckley
F Block
January 22nd, 2016
Introduction:
Ovarian cancer like any cancer is an uncontrolled multiplication of abnormal or mutated cells. This
particular type of cancer occurs in one or both of the two ovaries. The ovaries are a female reproductive
organ in which the eggs and ova are made. The diseased cells are treated, diagnosed and can occur in
many forms. Though there are general questions and unknowns, many things can be done to stop the

division with a long strong non-relapsing term. This cancer can get rid of life in more than just one way,
it can kill the person, a fetus of a child and the opportunity to ever have a child.

Part
Information:

Each year, 22,000 women are diagnosed. This cancer is the 9th most common cancer in women but the
5th most likely to kill. It is estimated that 1/75 women will have ovarian cancer in their lifetime. Ovarian
cancer strikes women living in the US, Canada, and Europe more often than anywhere else. The
American Cancer Society estimates that about 25,580 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in
the United States during 2004. Still the the unknown reasoning, White, American women have a 50%
greater chance of obtaining ovarian cancer compared to black, American women. Its been found that
Jewish grandparents have more than double the risk of having Ovarian cancer compared to women
without Jewish grandparents due to the higher prevalence of the BRCA gene. Turkish and Hawaiian
women have greater risk of ovarian cancer because of gene mutations.

There are 3 main types of Ovarian cancer; Epithelial, Germ cell and Sex cord stromal. Epithelial tumors
occur in cells that cover the outer layer of the ovaries, this is the most common form in the United States.
Germ cell tumors start from the cells that produces the eggs or the ova. While, Stromal tumors start
structural tissue cells, the structure which holds together the ovary and produces hormones. These forms
can happen due to a multiple of things; from genes, hormones, and environmental situation can all be
causes. 10-15% of Ovarian cancer is caused by a passed downed genetic mutation. With this case, sets of
DNA are mutated. The genes that are passed could be the mutations of BRAF, KRAS, PIK3CA, CYP1A1,
PTEN and the BRCA1 and BRCA2. The environmental factors include exposure to toxins, vitamins and
location. Solvents, dyes, organic dusts and talc (when used in the genital area) have all been linked as the
source of ovarian cancer. Studies have found working in the graphics and printing industries, paper and

packaging industry, the lumber and carpentry industry, and the textile and shoe industry, may also be at
increased risk of ovarian cancer due to Solvents, dyes, or organic dusts. Interestingly enough, Scientists
have also found women who work in the Telephone industry have a higher chance of cancer due to
contact with electromagnetic fields. Not having kids, not breast-feeding longer have been found to causes
of cancer due to hormonal factors. Though a woman who has had many children and breastfeed a long
time can get ovarian cancer as normal as a woman who has not, but it has been recorded to occur more
often in women who havent. Some women who take oral contraceptives over the due time appear to have
a lower risk of ovarian cancer while those that get hormone replacement therapy in an estrogen-only
form, or in a form where estrogen and then progestin are used in sequence, appear to have a higher
chance.

Prevention for Ovarian cancer is never guaranteed. Though these methods have been found to help reduce
the risk, there is still a chance of diagnosis.
Prevention methods include:
-

Intake of Vitamin D
Having kids
Breastfeeding for a longer period of time
Birth control
Having a hysterectomy (out-take of the uterus

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Diagnosis:

Many tests and procedures can be done to trace the presence and exact location of the ovarian cancer.
Pelvic exams are one form of detecting Ovarian cancer. In this procedure, 1 or 2 gloved fingers are
inserted into the vagina and presses on the lower abdomen simultaneously. This test is to help find a mass
on either side of the uterus, which may be a sign of ovarian cancer. CA-125 blood tests measure the
protein produced by ovarian cancer cells. Those with higher percentages of CA-125 are usually those with
Ovarian cancer. These tests can also be used to see if the treatment is working and predict the if a
treatment might be effective. The shortfall of this test can not locate ovarian cancer or tell 100% whether
a not cancer is present. Biopsy and imaging tests can also be ways to detect Ovarian cancer. Biopsy is the
only certain way to know if there is it present. This is where a doctor removes cells and exams them under
a microscope, looking for infected cells. Tissue is removed by surgery, Laparoscopy or Fine needle
aspiration (FNA). Imaging testing includes CT or CAT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, Chest X-rays or
Transvaginal ultrasound: A scanner with a small ultrasound device at the end is put into the vagina.

Part
Treatment:
Treatment all depends on certain items; stage of the cancer, size of the tumor after surgery, desire to have
children, age and overall health.

Surgery is the main treatment for ovarian cancer. Once cancer is confirmed in one or both ovaries and
tumor is identified, debulking is the next step. Debulking: If cancer has not spread, much of the tumor
will be removed as possible. This may help other treatments work better. Parts of the procedure are
removing the The ovaries, uterus, cervix, Fallopian tubes and omentum (fatty tissue around these organs),
and any other visible tumors in the pelvic and abdominal areas. The spleen, lymph nodes, liver or
intestines are also included in complete removal or particle removal. Sometimes debulking is not possible

because the patient is not healthy enough or the tumor may be attached to other organs. In these cases,
any tumor left will be treated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has three main forms for Ovarian cancer.
Intraperitoneal therapy (IP therapy) is a way to give chemo drugs. After debulking, the chemotherapy
drugs are inserted into the abdominal cavity with a catheter which causes contact with the cancer and
areas that could be effected. This can sometimes be more effective than regular chemo due to exact
contact.
Radiation Therapy is rarely used for treatment of ovarian cancer. When it is used, the reason is to
terminate any cancer cells still left in pelvic area and can be used for relapsing cancer. The main likeness
is to control but not fully treat cancer.
Target therapies are new drugs to stop the growth of infected cells by inferring with certain proteins or
blood vessels that the tumor needs to thrive. This treatment is limited to very few cancer centers.
Genetic Testing should happen If one is at high risk for ovarian cancer because of personal or family
history. A doctor will ask to have more tests to get on the genes. Blood tests can find out if a BRCA1 or
BRCA2 gene is prevalent or the genes that correspond with Lynch syndrome, an inherited colon cancer
syndrome.

References:
Menu. (n.d.). Retrieved January 07, 2016, from
http://www.ovarian.org/what_is_ovarian_cancer.php
Ovarian Cancer Facts and Types. (n.d.). Retrieved January 07, 2016, from
http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/cancer-information/cancertypes/ovarian-cancer/index.html
What is ovarian cancer? (n.d.). Retrieved January 07, 2016, from
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/detailedguide/ovarian-cancer-what-is-ovarian-cancer

Can ovarian cancer be prevented? (n.d.). Retrieved January 21, 2016, from
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/detailedguide/ovarian-cancer-prevention
Collaborative on Health and the Environment :: What We Know. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21, 2016, from
http://www.healthandenvironment.org/ovarian_cancer
Molecular Profiling of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer - My Cancer Genome. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21,
2016, from http://www.mycancergenome.org/content/disease/ovarian-cancer/
Ovarian Cancer - Risk Factors and Prevention. (2012, June 25). Retrieved January 21, 2016, from

http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/ovarian-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention