A one-stop guide to understanding ovarian cancer

If you, or anyone you know, has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it can be a very overwhelming experience. Expert consultant gynaecologist Mr Rahul Nath, who is based in London, answers some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the condition.

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a term that describes any cancer of the ovary. The most common form, ninety per cent of all cases, develops from the cells of the outer layer of the ovary; epithelial ovarian cancer. In most cases, the abnormal growth of cells begins in the fallopian tubes but spread to the ovary, leading to the development of cancer.

Is ovarian cancer common?

Accounting for approximately two per cent of newly diagnosed cancer cases, ovarian cancer is the fifteenth most common form of cancer in the UK, however the sixth most common form of cancer in women.

In 2014, there were 7,400 newly diagnosed cases of ovarian cancer in the UK. Over half of these cases, were women above the age of sixty-five, the highest rates affecting the seventy-five to seventy-nine age group. It’s estimated, that one in fifty-two women will be diagnosed with this cancer in their lifetime.

Who is at risk of developing ovarian cancer?

There is no definitive, known cause of ovarian cancer, but there are a variety of risk factors that can increase someone’s likelihood of developing it. These include:

• ageing
• lifestyle factors, like smoking or obesity
• environmental factors, such as being exposed to asbestos
• genetic factors, notably but not limited to the inherited mutation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
• a family history of ovarian cancer
• using combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

By contrast, there is evidence to suggest that the long-term use of oral contraceptives and breastfeeding reduces your risks of getting ovarian cancer.

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

There are no clear symptoms of ovarian cancer, they are normally caused by other conditions. Depending on the stage of the cancer, symptoms may include:

• abdominal pain
• abdominal swelling
• back pain
• bloating
• fatigue
• feeling of fullness
• frequently urinating
• irregular vaginal bleeding
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• pain during intercourse
• shortness of breath

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, they should be checked promptly, especially if you’re over the age of fifty or have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer. These symptoms don’t usually indicate cancer, however.

How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

In order to diagnose ovarian cancer, symptoms are assessed and the following tests may be performed:

• Blood tests, that check for certain proteins associated with ovarian cancer, but can also be present in non-cancerous conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
• An ultrasound scan can be either abdominal or transvaginal. It is able to create an image of the ovaries and show whether there are any abnormalities like cysts or other growths.
• A biopsy may also be needed to confirm whether the patient has cancer or not. Following a diagnosis, staging tests are carried out to determine the size of the cancer and whether it has spread.

How is ovarian cancer treated?

There are a few options for treatment of ovarian cancer, depending on many factors:

• size of cancer
• type of cancer
• whether it has spread to other organs
• patient's overall health

Prior to undertaking any treatment, your doctor will discuss the benefits of each of the options and help you to decide the most suitable one for you.

Almost every woman with ovarian cancer will require surgical treatment. In the early stages, removal of the affected ovary and its fallopian tube will suffice. In most cases, precautionary measures will be taken and more tissue will be removed than is affected. If there is a high risk of the cancer returning, chemotherapy may be necessary after surgery when as much of the cancerous tissue has been removed as possible. In rare circumstances, radiotherapy may also be used.

If you are interested in booking a consultation with Mr Rahul Nath, you can do so directly via his Top Doctors profile.