About 240,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year Worldwide. This makes this type of pathology the seventh most common cancer in the female population.
This Sunday, May 8, we celebrate the World Ovarian Cancer Day.
In the specific case of Spain, it is estimated that in 2021 more than 3,600 new cases of ovarian cancer were diagnosed.
Furthermore, the problem is that its symptoms are so non-specific that only 20% of cases are detected in the early stages. That is why it is added to the list of .
And although much has been done in recent years, there is still no early detection strategy. And it would be very important, the sooner epithelial ovarian cancer is detected and diagnosed, the more favorable its prognosis will be and the better the treatment will work.
Symptoms of ‘silent’ ovarian cancer
How do you explain the Dr. Alfonso Cortes Salgadoa specialist in Medical Oncology of “ovarian cancer produces very indeterminate symptoms, which can be confused with those of other less serious diseases”.
And this has serious consequences because as the doctor details:
“Most diagnoses occur at an advanced stage. To date, no screening program early detection It has been effective in diagnosing ovarian cancer, contrary to what occurs in breast cancer or cervical cancer”.
So the expert recommends “to know these symptoms well and, if they appear, consult with our primary care doctor or gynecology specialist.”
Some of the symptoms that tend to show up more frequently in advanced stages of the tumor, may include:
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distension or abdominal swelling.
- Presence of an abdominal mass.
- Pelvic pain or abdominal (isolated or not).
- loss of appetite.
- Weightloss.
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change in bowel habits.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
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Increased frequency or urinary urgency.
- Dyspepsia (indigestion or feeling full).
- abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Types of ovarian cancer
The ovaries are covered on their outer surface by a thin layer of tissue called the epithelium, made up of epithelial cells. Cancers that start in these types of cells are known as carcinomas and, in the case of ovarian cancer, are called ovarian carcinoma or epithelial cancer of the ovary.
It is the most common tumor among women over 40 years of age, after breast and uterus. Thus, 90% of all diagnosed ovarian cancers are of this type, which is why it is often referred to simply as ovarian cancer.
But, in addition to epithelial cells, there are other types of cells in the ovaries, which is why there are other types of ovarian cancer.
We talk about the germ cell tumorswhich are very rare, and the stromal tumorsstill less frequent than the previous ones.
Risk factor’s
The exact cause of this type of cancer is currently unknown. However, many risk factors for the development of the disease have been identified.
What is known is the relationship between ovarian cancer and hormonal or reproductive factors. Thus, ovarian cancer mainly affects women over 40-50 years of age.
And the risk of suffering from it increases with age, with a peak observed around 70 years of age.
On the other hand, it is known that “women who have not had children are at greater risk of developing the disease. On the other hand, the risk of ovarian cancer decreases in those women who have used oral contraceptives, explains the doctor Josep Mª. of the fieldof the .
Nor should we forget the genetic factor. In fact, about 20% of ovarian cancers are hereditary.
And lastly, and as in any type of tumor, the lifestyle of the patient.
It is important to note that having one or more of these factors increases the risk of cancer.