Ovarian Cancer

The gold standard in the treatment of ovarian cancer is the first surgery that will be performed by a gynecologist-oncologist trained in this field and will not leave any visible tumor behind. This surgery involves removing the uterus, both ovaries, fallopian tubes, surrounding lymph nodes, abdominal fat tissue, and some of the organs where ovarian cancer has spread.

Early diagnosis is very important

If the tumor is at an early stage, small and confined to the ovary, operations to remove the uterus, ovaries, abdominal fat tissue and lymph nodes can be performed by laparoscopy or robotic surgery. If ovarian cancer is detected at a very early stage or in some types of ovarian cancer seen at a young age, the other ovary and uterus are left in the operation; In women or young girls who have not yet given birth, the ability to have children and hormone production are preserved.

What are the risk factors?

The lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is 1.4 percent. Although it can be seen at any age, it is most common between the ages of 60-64. The risk of developing ovarian cancer is increased in some conditions: being over 40 years of age, not having given birth to a child, eating a diet rich in fat, using talcum powder, and having a family history of ovarian cancer. However, using birth control pills, childbearing and breastfeeding, removing the uterus, and tying the tubes reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Genetic screening may be required

People who have a first-degree relative who has had ovarian, breast, uterine or bowel (colon) cancer are at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. The lifetime risk for these people is 5 percent if one first-degree relative has ovarian cancer, and 7 percent if two people have ovarian cancer. BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 gene mutations should be screened for familial ovarian cancer in these people.

What are the symptoms?

Complaints in ovarian cancer are not obvious, so the diagnosis is made late. Groin and abdominal pain, bloating, and indigestion are symptoms in the early stages. In advanced stages, there may be pressure symptoms on neighboring organs; It is a feeling of pressure in the groin, a constant feeling of urination and defecation, swelling due to mass and fluid collection in the abdomen, and vaginal bleeding. There is no effective screening method for ovarian cancer.

Today, the most common approach to early diagnosis is to evaluate the patient by performing regular gynecological examination and taking a detailed family history. If a mass is detected in the pelvic area during the patient’s examination, it should also be evaluated with transvaginal ultrasonography. In addition, the value called CA-125, which is released in large amounts into the blood in ovarian cancer, should be measured.

However, it should be known that the CA-125 value may also increase in cases such as smoking, early pregnancy, and endometriosis. Treatment for ovarian cancer is usually surgery. The type and extent of the cancer are evaluated during the surgery. Surgery is planned according to the patient’s age, desire for a child and the stage of the cancer. The uterus, ovaries, and lymph nodes in the pelvic area can be completely removed. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy is planned after surgery.