Ovarian Cancer

Ovaries, which are one of the most important organs of the female reproductive system, are found in the body as two pieces next to the uterus (uterus). In addition to secreting very important female hormones, the ovaries play a critical role in ensuring fertility by developing one egg every month.

Ovarian cancer develops from cells that grow uncontrollably, which develop in the ovarian tissue. The treatment of this cancer often requires surgery and chemotherapy.

Ovarian cancer is insidious, it often does not give signs when it first develops. When it starts to cause complaints, there are usually delays in its diagnosis because it is confused with the findings of other diseases. The following findings can be seen;

• Bloating in the abdomen
• Achieving satiety quickly during meals
• Weight Loss
• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• Fatigue
• Low back pain
• Changes in bowel habits, frequent constipation
• Frequent urination

If the above-mentioned symptoms have become persistent and concern you, I recommend making an appointment with your doctor. But let's not forget, it is the most rational way to have your regular gynecological examinations.

Mutations that develop in the DNA of cells located in the ovaries lead to the transformation of healthy cells into abnormal cells. Normal cells grow, multiply, and eventually die. Cancerous abnormal cells, on the other hand, grow, multiply uncontrollably and become immortal. This abnormal collection of cells forms a mass and it is called a tumor. Just as cancer cells can invade healthy tissues around them, they can also spread to distant tissues (metastasis).

• Epithelial Ovarian Cancers: These are the most common types. Serous and mucinous ovarian cancers are included in this group. < / li>
• Stromal Ovarian Cancers: They are rare. They are detected at an earlier stage than other ovarian cancers.< / li>
• Germ Cell Cancers: They are rare. They are mostly detected in young women.< / li>

• Advanced age: The incidence of ovarian cancer increases with age. They are more common in older women.< / li>
• Hereditary genetic changes: A small proportion of ovarian cancers develop due to genetic mutations passed on from parents. These genes are BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes. The risk of breast cancer has also increased in women who have inherited these genes.< / li>
• Having a family history of ovarian cancer: If there are women with ovarian cancer in your family, it means that you also have an increased risk of this cancer.< / li>
• Obesity
• Hormone replacement therapy after menopause: Synthetic hormones used to treat complaints that develop due to menopause may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. < / li>
• Endometriosis: The risk of ovarian cancer may increase in endometriosis, a disease that occurs when the intrauterine layer settles in places where it should not be in the body.< / li>
• Menstruation for many years: Starting menstruation at an early age or entering menopause late.< / li>
• Having never been pregnant

There is no 100% way to prevent ovarian cancer. But there are some factors that are known to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

• Using birth control pills: In addition to providing high levels of protection, these pills also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. But they may not be suitable for every patient due to side effects. You can discuss with your doctor whether birth control pills are suitable for you.< / li>
• Discuss your personal risk factors with your doctor: If there are patients with ovarian cancer in your family, you should share this with your doctor. In such a case, you may be referred for genetic counseling. If it is determined by genetic tests that you carry risky gene mutations for ovarian cancer, it may be recommended to surgically remove your ovaries before the cancer develops. < / li>

• Pelvic examination: Your doctor first observes the outer part of your genital area (vulva). It places a special device called a speculum inside your vagina and evaluates the inside of the vagina and the cervix (cervix). Then, he inserts two fingers into the vagina to check for a mass in the vagina and cervix. Some structures that are invisible to the eye are easier to feel with the fingertip. Again, during the procedure, your doctor presses on your stomach with the other hand, compressing the uterus and ovaries from both sides and tries to find out if there is an ovarian mass coming into the hand.< / li>
• Imaging tests: The structure of the ovaries can be evaluated using imaging techniques such as ultrasound, tomography, MRI. Ultrasound performed vaginally is like the hands and feet of gynecologists and gives very valuable findings in the evaluation of ovaries. < / li>
• Blood tests: Your doctor may order your blood tests to assess your overall health and tumor markers that may indicate an increase in ovarian cancer. < / li>
• Diagnostic laparoscopy: Sometimes, in cases where there is a Decoupling, in order to confirm the diagnosis, both an image and tissue and fluid samples can be taken by entering the abdomen through small holes. < / li>
• Genetic tests: Your doctor may order genetic tests to determine the presence of hereditary ovarian cancer. These tests can help plan your treatment, as well as help determine the risk factors of your female relatives and girls.< / li>

The treatment of ovarian cancer is usually planned by combining surgery and chemotherapy. Different treatments may also be added in certain cases.

The main goal of surgery is to remove cancerous tissues and determine the stage of cancer. The stage of the disease also determines the decision on chemotherapy after surgery.

• Removal of a single ovary: In early stage ovarian cancer, only a single ovary and the accompanying tube can be removed if there is no bounce in other organs. In this operation, the patient's fertility is preserved. In addition, fatty tissue and lymph nodes called omentum in the abdomen can also be removed.< / li>
• Removal of both ovaries: If the cancer is present in both ovaries and there are no splashes in other organs, your surgeon can remove the two ovaries and the accompanying tubes. Since the uterus is protected in this operation, the patient's chances of achieving pregnancy with her own frozen embryos, frozen eggs or donor eggs continue. In addition, fatty tissue and lymph nodes called omentum in the abdomen can also be removed.< / li>
• Removal of the uterus and both ovaries: In patients who do not want fertility, the uterus, ovaries, tubes, lymph nodes and fatty tissue called the omentum in the abdomen can be removed.< / li>
• Advanced stage cancer surgery: If the cancer is widespread in the abdomen, a difficult operation can be performed in which all the tumor tissues are removed. Sometimes chemotherapy is given to the patient before and the operation is performed afterwards.< / li>

Special drugs are used in chemotherapy that destroy fast-growing cells. Cancer cells are also affected by chemotherapy because they grow fast. These medications can be given intravenously or orally.

Chemotherapy is usually used to destroy tumor cells that are invisible to the eye after surgery. In some cases, they can also be used before surgery.

In cancer surgery the right surgeon, the right technology and the right pathology are essential. I strongly recommend that you research your surgeon, get opinions from patients he has operated on before, ask about the technologies that will be used in your surgery, and where and how the pathological examination will be performed.