Prof. Dr Rehana Aamer Khan is treating, ovarian cancer patients from last fifteen years and most of the patients are living healthy life. Patient should know that if ovarian cancer is diagnosed in early stages it is fully curable. She is pioneer of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery In Pakistan. She has started the advance Gynae Procedures Laparoscopically and Robotically in Pakistan. In Pakistan previously it was a dream of Pakistani patients to take benefit of these advance techniques.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Cancer is a condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. It is typically named after the specific location where it originates, regardless of whether it later spreads to other parts of the body.
Ovarian cancer refers to a collection of diseases that begin in the ovaries or related areas such as the fallopian tubes and the peritoneum. Women possess two ovaries positioned on either side of the uterus within the pelvis. These ovaries play a vital role in producing female hormones and facilitating egg production for reproductive purposes.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer.
Ovarian cancer can initially manifest without any discernible symptoms. Consequently, when symptoms do arise, they are often mistakenly attributed to more prevalent ailments.
Common indications and signs of ovarian cancer encompass:
- Swelling or bloating in the abdominal region.
- Rapid satiety or feeling full soon after eating.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Pelvic discomfort.
- Back pain.
- Alterations in bowel movements, such as constipation.
- Frequent urge to urinate.
Diagnostic methods for ovarian cancer include the following:
- Pelvic Exam: During a pelvic exam, your doctor will perform a manual examination by inserting gloved fingers into your vagina while applying pressure on your abdomen. This enables them to assess the condition of your pelvic organs. Additionally, your doctor visually examines your external genitalia, vagina, and cervix.
- Imaging Tests: Procedures such as ultrasound or CT scans are employed to obtain images of your abdomen and pelvis. These tests assist in evaluating the size, shape, and structure of your ovaries.
- Blood Tests: Organ function tests may be conducted through blood samples to assess your overall health. Moreover, blood tests can help identify specific tumor markers associated with ovarian cancer. For instance, the cancer antigen (CA) 125 test detects a protein commonly present on the surface of ovarian cancer cells. While these tests cannot definitively diagnose cancer, they provide valuable information for your doctor to form a diagnosis and prognosis.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery becomes necessary to confirm the diagnosis. During this procedure, an ovary is removed, and a tissue sample is sent for pathological examination to detect any signs of cancer.
- Genetic Testing: Your doctor might recommend genetic testing by analyzing a blood sample to identify any genetic mutations that could increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Identifying inherited DNA changes helps your doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan. Sharing this information with your blood relatives, such as siblings and children, is advisable as they may also carry the same genetic alterations.
Once ovarian cancer is confirmed, your doctor will utilize the information obtained from tests and procedures to determine its stage. Ovarian cancer stages are typically denoted using Roman numerals I to IV, ranging from stage 1 (cancer confined to the ovaries) to stage 4 (cancer spreading to distant areas of the body).
The treatment of ovarian cancer typically involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, with additional treatments considered in specific cases.
Surgery: Surgical procedures for ovarian cancer include:
- Removal of one ovary: If the cancer is in the early stages and hasn`t spread beyond one ovary, the affected ovary and its fallopian tube may be surgically removed. This approach can potentially preserve fertility.
- Removal of both ovaries: When cancer is present in both ovaries without signs of additional spread, the surgeon may remove both ovaries and fallopian tubes while preserving the uterus. This allows the possibility of future pregnancy using frozen embryos, eggs, or donor eggs.
- Removal of both ovaries and uterus: In cases of more extensive cancer or when fertility preservation is not a concern, the surgeon may remove both ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, nearby lymph nodes, and a fatty abdominal tissue fold called the omentum.
- Surgery for advanced cancer: If the cancer has advanced, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove as much of the cancerous tissue as possible.
In some cases, chemotherapy may be administered before or after the surgery.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to destroy rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells. These drugs can be administered intravenously or orally.
Chemotherapy is often employed after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. It can also be used before surgery.
In certain situations, chemotherapy drugs may be heated and delivered directly into the abdomen during surgery (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). The drugs are left in place for a specific duration before being drained, and the surgery is completed.
Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy focuses on exploiting specific vulnerabilities present in cancer cells, leading to their destruction. By targeting these weaknesses, targeted therapies can cause cancer cells to die.
If targeted therapy is being considered for ovarian cancer, your doctor may test your cancer cells to determine the most effective targeted treatment option.
Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy involves the use of drugs to block the effects of estrogen on ovarian cancer cells. Some ovarian cancer cells rely on estrogen to promote their growth, so blocking estrogen can help control the cancer.
Hormone therapy may be suitable for certain types of slow-growing ovarian cancers and could also be an option if the cancer recurs after initial treatments.
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy utilizes the body`s immune system to combat cancer. Cancer cells often produce proteins that help them evade attack from the immune system. Immunotherapy disrupts this process, enabling the immune system to recognize and target cancer cells.
Immunotherapy may be considered for specific situations in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Supportive (Palliative) Care: Palliative care focuses on providing relief from pain and alleviating other symptoms associated with a serious illness. Palliative care specialists collaborate with you, your family, and other medical professionals to provide additional support that complements your ongoing treatment. Palliative care can be administered alongside more aggressive treatments like surgery and chemotherapy.
When integrated with appropriate treatments, palliative care can enhance well-being and extend life expectancy.
A team of doctors, nurses, and other trained professionals deliver palliative care, aiming to improve the quality of life for individuals with cancer and their families. This form of care is offered in conjunction with curative or other ongoing treatments.