Ovarian Cancer, The Symptoms

Ovarian cancer is, type of cancer that originates in the ovary. It is a type of cancer that not only occurs in humans but in other species as well. Epithelial ovarian cancer is when the cancer happens in the outer lining of the ovary while germ cell tumor is when it occurs in the egg cells. It is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women.

Just like pancreatic cancer, cancer of the ovary does not show any specific symptoms in the early stages. It can only be diagnosed in the very late stages and this may pose serious danger to the patient .Several women with ovarian cancer have complained of abdominal pains, abdominal mass, back pain, bloating, tiredness, constipation and urinary urgency. Other symptoms include vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain and weight loss.

Cancer of the ovary can be diagnosed through pelvic examination, a blood test or through medical imaging. Examination of the abdominal cavity, a biopsy and a check for cancerous cells in the abdominal fluid confirms the presence of the disease. Chemotherapy, surgery and sometimes radiotherapy are used to treat this type of cancer.

Often the cause is unknown but older women who have close relatives with ovarian cancer have an increased risk. Infertile women and those women who have never been pregnant have an increased risk. Those women who use postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy are at risk as well. Women who use oral contraceptive pills and those who have had their uterine tubes blocked in a surgical procedure called tubal legation have a lower risk.

By: Mercy Maranga

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Mercy Maranga Reports on Health and Fitness issues. Visit Her Site here for more information on cancer and its treatment Cancer