What are the risks and symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Generally, ovarian cancer does not cause many early signs until the cancer grows. Women should consult their physician if they experience pressure or fullness in the pelvis, abdominal bloating, or changes in bowel and bladder patterns that continue and/or worsen. Although aggressive new therapies are being evaluated by Gynecologic cancer specialists at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, early detection and diagnosis remain a woman’s best opportunity to treat gynecologic cancers. Routine annual gynecologic examinations are the first line of defense. Our physicians offer valuable advantages in the diagnosis of gynecologic cancers. Because it is difficult to distinguish between some types of cancerous and benign cells on biopsies, our gynecologists created a special division headed by a gynecologist who is board certified in both obstetrics/gynecology and pathology (the study of tissue and cells). The field of gynecologic pathology was pioneered at Hopkins, wh
Ovarian cancer may not be the most common cancer in women, but it may be the most feared by women. Each year in the United States, about 21,550 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is the eighth most common cancer among women, and one for which there is no known cause. The estimate for new cases of ovarian cancer in the United States in 2009 is 21,550 and estimated deaths are14,600, according to the American Cancer Society. Ovarian cancer forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells). There are some relative risk factors, however, and the risk for developing ovarian cancer increases for women who are post menopausal, who have an immediate family relative with the disease and who have had a personal history of breast cancer. In
Ovarian cancer may not be the most common cancer in women, but it may be the most feared by women. Each year in the United States, about 21,550 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is the eighth most common cancer among women, and one for which there is no known cause. The estimate for new cases of ovarian cancer in the United States in 2009 is 21,550 and estimated deaths are14,600, according to the American Cancer Society. Since there are vague symptoms for ovarian cancer, it is difficult to catch early. Symptoms can include weight gain, increased abdominal girth, abdominal pain, pelvic pressure, gas or bloating. Most of these symptoms can also be caused by other less serious conditions, but when the symptoms are caused by ovarian cancer they tend to be more severe and are a change from how a woman usually feels. It is the persistence of these symptoms, for two weeks or more that warrant further examination and testing by your doctor.
Ovarian cancer may not be the most common cancer in women, but it may be the most feared by women. Each year in the United States, about 21,550 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is the eighth most common cancer among women, and one for which there is no known cause. The estimate for new cases of ovarian cancer in the United States in 2009 is 21,550 and estimated deaths are14,600, according to the American Cancer Society. Ovarian cancer forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells). There are some relative risk factors, however, and the risk for developing ovarian cancer increases for women who are post menopausal, who have an immediate family relative with the disease and who have had a personal history of breast cancer. In
Ovarian cancer may not be the most common cancer in women, but it may be the most feared by women. Each year in the United States, about 21,550 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is the eighth most common cancer among women, and one for which there is no known cause. The estimate for new cases of ovarian cancer in the United States in 2009 is 21,550 and estimated deaths are14,600, according to the American Cancer Society. Since there are vague symptoms for ovarian cancer, it is difficult to catch early. Symptoms can include weight gain, increased abdominal girth, abdominal pain, pelvic pressure, gas or bloating. Most of these symptoms can also be caused by other less serious conditions, but when the symptoms are caused by ovarian cancer they tend to be more severe and are a change from how a woman usually feels. It is the persistence of these symptoms, for two weeks or more that warrant further examination and testing by your doctor. Sources:
