Ovarian Cancer Treatment in Bangalore | Dr.Rani Bhat

1. OVARIAN CANCER: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, STAGING AND TREATMENT

2. What is ovarian cancer and how common is it? In India, ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women. Majority of cases occur in women who have gone through the menopause and are usually aged over 50, but younger women can also be affected. The earlier the disease is found and treated, the better the survival rate.

3. What’s my risk of developing ovarian cancer? A number of things can affect your risk of developing ovarian cancer. The two main risk factors are having certain cancers in your family, and getting older. • Ovarian or breast cancer in your family • Ovarian, womb, colon, bowel or stomach cancers in your family • Now coming to your 2nd risk, that’s getting older

4. What are the symptoms to look out for? • Persistent stomach pain • Persistent bloating of abdomen • Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly after eating • Needing to pee more frequently • What should I do if I notice symptoms? If you think something’s changed with your body, don’t ignore it. And don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will find it helpful if you can give them an idea of what’s been happening and how often your symptoms tend to come and go.

5. The stages of ovarian cancer There are four stages of ovarian cancer: • Stage 1:This is where the cancer is confined to one or both ovaries. • Stage 2: A stage 2 ovarian cancer occurs when the cancer is also found outside the ovary or ovaries, but has spread no further than the pelvic region • Stage 3: ovarian cancer involves one or both ovaries and has spread beyond the pelvis into the abdominal cavity and/or to nearby lymph nodes. • Stage 4: indicates that cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body such as the liver, lungs and brain.

6. How quickly does ovarian cancer spread? Different types of tumors' grow at different rates. So when someone is diagnosed with cancer, their doctors will grade the tumour according to how quickly they expect it to develop.

7. How is ovarian cancer is diagnosed? Your gyneoncologist will carry out or arrange the following initial tests: 1. Physical examination 2. You will be advise to have blood test 3. Ultrasound (Transabdominal ultrasound, Transvaginal ultrasound) 4. CT scan 5. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan

8. Coping with the news • Research shows that when people are first told they have cancer, a lot of the information they are given doesn’t sink in. • It is important that you are given ways of accessing information when you’re ready so that you can make the best decisions about your care and come to terms with your diagnosis. • Having the right information can help you to cope better.

9. What does treatment for ovarian cancer involve? Surgery is used both to diagnose ovarian cancer and to treat it. A surgeon who specializes in the treatment of female pelvic cancers usually carries it out and they are known as gynaecological oncologist.

10. Preparing for surgery • Surgery for the treatment of ovarian cancer is usually a major procedure and therefore there is a small risk of developing postoperative problems, but this is very rare. • Whilst you are unlikely to develop any problems as a result of your surgery it is worth discussing all the consequences of surgery with your gynaecological oncologist.

11. Recovering after surgery Your recovery time will depend on the type of surgery you have and whether or not postoperative problems develop. Before you return home you should receive a visit from a physiotherapist who will give you a programme of gentle exercises as part of your recovery programme.

12. Longer term effects of surgery 1. Early menopause If your ovaries have been removed you will enter menopause after your treatment. This can cause symptoms such as hot flushes, sweats, a dry vagina, thinning bones and feeling emotional and anxious. 2. Loss of fertility With the removal of your ovaries, fallopian tubes and womb you will not be able to become pregnant but depending on the type and stage of your cancer you may be able to have fertility-sparing surgery.

13. Impact on your sex life • The removal of your ovaries reduces your oestrogen levels and this may lead to symptoms, which can affect your sex life. • The lack of oestrogen can cause thinning of the skin around your vagina, a reduction in the mucus that lubricates your vagina and a loss of fat tissue around your genital area. This makes your vagina shorter, less elastic and drier.

14. Chemotherapy and ovarian cancer Most women with ovarian cancer are offered chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is given to reduce any disease remaining after surgery or to reduce the likelihood of the cancer returning.

15. What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy works by attacking cells that divide rapidly. Cancer cells behave in this way. If your cancer has been discovered at an early stage you may not require chemotherapy.

16. How chemotherapy is given Chemotherapy drugs are usually given by mouth or injected into a vein, which enables them to enter the bloodstream in order to kill cancer cells.

17. Follow-up after treatment Your doctor will advise you to have regular hospital follow-ups after treatment. For the first couple of years you will have follow-up appointments every 2–3 months.

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