Ovarian Cancer

The ovaries are the part of the female reproductive system that produces eggs every month during a woman’s reproductive years. They are located on either side of the lower abdomen. Ovarian cancer occurs when cells in the ovary grow and divide uncontrollably. The cells may form a tumor on the ovary or break off from the primary tumor and spread to other parts of the body. Although ovarian cancer can spread throughout the entire body, in most cases it stays in the abdomen and affects organs such as the intestines, liver, and stomach. There are many different types of ovarian cancer. However, most cancers of the ovary (85% to 90%) come from the cells that make up the outer lining of the organ and are called epithelial ovarian cancers.

Facts: According to the Illinois State Cancer Registry, in 2021, there was 847 new cases of ovarian cancer in Illinois. In 2021, 470 Illinoisans died from ovarian cancer.

Usually, there are not obvious symptoms of ovarian cancer due to the symptoms not being unique to ovarian cancer; however, ovarian cancer can include the following symptoms:

• Abdominal swelling or bloating
• Vaginal bleeding (particularly if you are past menopause), or discharge from your vagina that is not normal
• Pain or pressure in the pelvic area
• Back pain
• Fullness after meals or a lack of appetite
• Upset stomach
• Malaise
• Change in bathroom habits, such as more frequent or urgent need to urinate and/or constipation
• Weight change (either loss or gain)
• Unexplained fluid in the abdominal cavity that contributes to abdominal discomfort

A definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer requires surgery. The initial surgery has two aims. First, to remove any cancer that exists (or as much as possible), including removing the ovaries and the uterus. Second, to sample tissues and surrounding nodes to determine where the tumor has spread (to determine the stage of the disease). The best results for survival occur when all the cancer can be removed.

After the initial diagnosis is established at surgery, additional therapy will depend on several factors, including the cell type, the stage, the extent of the cancer's spread, and the amount of tumor remaining at the end of the initial surgery. Treatment includes chemotherapy or radiation.

There is no way of knowing if you will get ovarian cancer; however, there are several risk factors that can increase a woman’s risk for ovarian cancer including:

• Eating a high-fat diet.
• Never having children or not having children until later in life.
• Infertility.
• Using fertility drugs but not becoming pregnant.
• Starting your periods at a young age or going through menopause at an older age than average age.
• Usage of talcum powder on the genital area.
• Belonging to the Caucasian race or being of Jewish descent.
• Having endometriosis (a condition where tissue from the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body).
• The most significant risk factor is having a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. By having one close relative with ovarian cancer a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer increases by nearly three times.

There are also several factors that can lower the risk of ovarian cancer, including:

• Birth control pills
• Having multiple children
• Breastfeeding
• Tubal ligation
• Having ovaries removed

Even with significant risk factors, such as family history, the overall chances of developing ovarian cancer is relatively small.

Most ovarian cancers are not inherited. However, about 5% to 10% of ovarian cancers do run in families. Generally, the risk of developing ovarian cancer increases as the number of family members affected by ovarian cancer increases. Having a first-degree relative affected by ovarian cancer (for example, a mother or a sister) increases a woman’s lifetime risk from 1.4% to 3.1%. Sometimes ovarian, breast, and other cancers seem to run in families. Talk to your doctor about genetic tests that can tell you more about your chances of getting ovarian cancer.

There are no known ways to guarantee the prevention of ovarian cancer. Women who are diagnosed in an early stage, however, have a higher survival rate. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is usually not diagnosed at an early stage. Currently, no effective methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer early exist.

Women at a very high risk of developing ovarian cancer can consider removal of the ovaries. This appears to lower the risk of developing ovarian cancer but does not eliminate the risk. In general, women found to be carriers of an ovarian or breast cancer gene or who have a strong family history may be appropriate candidates for removal of the ovaries.

• American Cancer Society
• National Cancer Institute