Ovarian Cancer
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is the abnormal growth of malignant cells in the ovaries, the egg (ovum) producing part of the female reproductive system. Often, Ovarian cancer goes undetected until it has metastasized (spread) to the pelvis and abdomen. At this late stage, this cancer is difficult to treat. Ovarian Cancer ranks as the 11th most common cancer among women, and it is the 5th leading cause of cancer-related death for women.
What different types of ovarian cancers exist?
Epithelial tumors are both benign and malignant tumors that develop in the epithelium, the thin layer of cells that cover the ovaries. These tumors usually form on the ovaries of women who have stopped their menstrual cycle. Malignant Epithelial tumors are the most frequent and deadly of all types of ovarian cancers. Together, benign and malignant Epithelial tumors account for 90% of all Ovarian cancer diagnoses.
Germ cell tumors develop from the cells that produce the ova (eggs) in the ovaries. Most germ cell tumors are benign (non-cancerous), although some are cancerous and may be life threatening. Primarily, these tumors affect teenagers and women in their early 20s. The three most common germ cell tumors are teraomas, dysgerminomas, and endodermal sinus tumors. About 5% of ovarian cancer cases begin in ovary germ cells.
Stromal tumors form in the connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together and produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Two common types of Stromal tumors are: granulose cell and sertoli-leydig tumors. These tumors are quite rare and are usually considered low-grade cancers.They make up about 5% of ovarian cancer diagnoses.
What are some symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Bloating
Pelvis o...
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...hter, or sister with ovarian cancer
A mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer
Being of North American, Northern European, or Ashkenazi Jewish descent
Women who have never had children, or women who had their first child after 30
Unexplained infertility
Women who started menstruation before age 12 and/or go through menopause later in life have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Women who have taken estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Early adulthood obesity
How can I prevent getting Ovarian cancer?
Taking birth control pills. Women who took oral contraceptives for three or more years are 30% to 50% less likely to develop ovarian cancer.
Breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Websites: http://www.ovariancancer.org/ http://www.ovarian.org/
often had 6-7 children by their 40s (expected to give birth and raise many children at this times)
The etiology of a teratoma is still not fully understood, since it pertains to the category of germ cell tumors. Even so, teratomas are most commonly found in certain organs, such as the brain, thyroid, liver, lungs, ovaries, and testes. Subsequently, teratomas are believed to be caused by the abnormal development or migration of either germ cells or embryonic (stem) cells during embryogenesis. If the teratoma is of germ cell origin, then it will be located in either the testes or ovaries. However, if it is derived from embryonic cells, then it can be located anywhere from the sutures of the skull, all the way down the coccyx. With this in mind, embryonic teratomas are congenital, which means they either exist before birth, at birth, or develop within one month after birth. Germ cell teratomas, are not believed to be congenital, but this is not known for certain.
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..., t. t. (n.d.). Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Use and Cancer - National Cancer Institute. Comprehensive Cancer Information - National Cancer Institute. Retrieved September 19, 2011, from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/menopausal-hormones/print
Evaluating the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women who have undergone hysterectomy: A review of literature
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