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Home News Early detection and the risks of developing ovarian cancer

Early detection and the risks of developing ovarian cancer

Published: Sunday, November 1, 2009

Ovarian cancer accounts for 3% of all cancers diagnosed in U.S. women; however, it ranks second among all gynecologic cancers. It is estimated that there will be more than 21,000 new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed this year with more than 15,000 ovarian cancer deaths. More than 80% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed in an advanced stage. Five-year survival rates are near 90% if the cancer is diagnosed at a localized stage. When regional and distant disease is present, survival rates fall to 71% and 30% respectively.

A women’s lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is less than 2%, yet as a women ages, her risk of developing ovarian cancer increases. Other risk factors for ovarian cancer include a personal or family history of ovarian cancer and/or breast cancer, mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2genes, hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, heavier body weight and the use of estrogen as part of hormonal therapy in postmenopausal treatment. Pregnancy and long-term use of oral contraceptives reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer. According to the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, most women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer between the ages of 50-59 years of age.

Early stage ovarian cancer rarely has symptoms. Symptoms experienced such as persistent bloating, pelvic and/or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or urinary urgency should be medically evaluated. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is rarely a symptom of ovarian cancer.

Currently, routine screening for women at average risk is not recommended since no accurate screening test is available. For women at high risk or with persistent unexplainable symptoms, a combination of a pelvic exam, transvaginal ultrasound and a blood test called CA125 may be used (and antigen in the blood) that can show values with accuracy of 80% of women with advanced ovarian cancer.

In women with BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations, preventive surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes can reduce the risk of ovarian cancers. For women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy.

To learn more about ovarian cancer or other gynecologic cancers, contact our board certified gynecologic oncologist at 865.305.5622 or visit Gynecologic Oncology.