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How is it diagnosed?
Ovarian cancer is most often detected during a pelvic internal examination conducted by a gynaecologist for some other purpose. A pelvic exam includes manual examination of the various organs in the pelvic area which includes the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and the vagina. If the doctor feels a mass in the ovaries, she may ask for an ultrasound scan or sonography of the area. In this procedure, a probe is inserted into the vagina which sends off sound waves from within. These sound waves depict pictorially the inside of the pelvis.
If a mass is detected, a CA-125 assay is done. CA-125 is a tumour marker and its concentration in blood increases in Ovarian cancer. However, this is not a 100% reliable procedure since sometimes the cancer may be missed and in some cases, it may be positive even when the growth is benign. A biopsy sample may be taken by an operation or through a laparoscope. The biopsy confirms the diagnosis.
What is the treatment?
The treatment depends on the type and stage of the tumour. Surgery is usually the first and preferred method of treatment. This includes removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy), the fallopian tubes (salpingectomy), the cervix and the uterus (hysterectomy).
Chemotherapy is the destruction of the cancerous cells with the help of drugs and special medications. Most drugs used to treat cancer are given intravenously. The common drugs are taxol, taxatere, cisplatin and paraplatin. Radiation therapy involves the use of high energy rays to kill the cancerous cells. However, it is not the preferred method of treatment since it's effect is localised and the cancer may have spread through the blood stream.
What are the side effects of treatment?
There may be many side effects depending on the form of treatment followed and the stage of the disease.
1. After surgery a person may experience pain and tenderness in the operated region. Since after the removal of the ovaries, the woman loses her ability to reproduce and menopause occurs, she may experience feelings of loss and incapacity. The physical symptoms associated with menopause, like vaginal dryness and hot flashes may be seen in some women.
2. Women undergoing chemotherapy may lose their hair in addition to the usual side effects of treatment, which are nausea, vomiting, weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue and mood swings. Patients undergoing chemotherapy may be given extra fluids intravenously to prevent kidney damage.