Facts and Figures

Each year, more than 22,000new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the United States, resulting in over 14,000 deaths. 

Ovarian cancer isthe fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths in women age 35 to 74.  About 1 in 70 women develop ovarian cancer, the deadliest of the gynecologic cancers.  Unfortunately, the mortality rate has not significantly improved in the past 50 years.

Because there is no reliable diagnostic screening for ovarian cancer, it often goes undetected or is misdiagnosed until it has advanced to the later stages.  More than 75% of women are diagnosed in the later stages; in fact, only about 19% of cases are diagnosed early.  The majority of women diagnosed in later stages do not make the 5-year milestone.  Those who do may eventually have a recurrence or numerous recurrences of the disease.  Due to a very high recurrence rate of ovarian cancer (all stages), the overall survival rate is less than 50%. 

A Pap Test does not detect
ovarian cancer.

Sadly, the five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer has increased by only 8% in the last 30 years.

Ovarian cancer does not discriminate.  It can affect females of any ethnic background and of any age (girls as young as 1 year old have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer).  The lack of public awareness and education about ovarian cancer is a critical health issue.

Although the symptoms of ovarian cancer often are not acute or intense (particularly in the early stages), they are not silent.

Risk Factors

Always be aware of what your body is telling you (symptoms), but also be aware that the following risk factors may apply:

• Genetic predisposition
• Personal or family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer
• Increasing age
• Undesired infertility

Do not hesitate to initiate a possibly life-saving discussion about ovarian cancer with your female family members, friends and co-workers, and especially your physician.  The more we all know, the better chance of an early diagnosis and the less risk we have of losing the battle against ovarian cancer.

Symptoms

Even in its early stages, ovarian cancer has symptoms.  Once thought to be a 'silent disease', research indicates that 95% of women with ovarian cancer have vague but persistent symptoms.  Several health organizations have endorsed a consensus statement concluding that the following symptoms are likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency

Other symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Indigestion, heartburn or upset stomach
• Lower back and/or leg pain
• Change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea)
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Menstrual irregularities
• Shortness of breath
• Pain during intercourse

These symptoms are not always useful for diagnosis since they may be indicative of other conditions.  The key is to recognize the symptoms  and see your doctor if any combination of these symptoms persists for more than 2 weeks.

Ovarian cancer may be detected by an ultrasound in combination with a transvaginal ultrasound.  If suspected, surgery including major debulking should be performed by a gynecologic oncologist, a specialist trained in cancers of the female reproductive system.

Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer

No consistently reliable, accurate screening test exists to detect ovarian cancer.  However, the following tests are the best available to date.

• Annual Rectovaginal Exam - Recommended for women age 35 or older.
   
• Transvaginal/Ultrasound - Recommended for high risk women or those with an abnormal pelvic exam.
   
• CA125 Blood Test - Determines the level of a tumor marker.  This test is not definitive as some non-cancerous conditions also increase CA125 levels and some ovarian cancers may not elevate the CA125 level.

If any of these tests are abnormal, consultation with a gynecologic oncologist is recommended.

 

Treatment Options

There are 3 main types of treatment for ovarian cancer.

• Surgery - Involves removal of the tumor or cancerous growth.  To significantly improve survival rate, surgery should be performed by a gynecologic oncologist.
   
• Chemotherapy - Involves the use of drugs that travel through the bloodstream to kill cancerous cells.  In later stage ovarian cancer, Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, where the drugs are injected directly into the abdomen, is used.  In most cases, chemotherapy is used following a patient's recuperation from surgery.
   
• Radiation Therapy - Involves high energy x-rays to kill the cancer cells and shrink large tumors, often prior to surgery.  This is the least common method of treatment.

 

Common Treatment Medications (click on a link to go to the WebMD website information for each medication).

• Carboplatin
• Cyclophosphamide
• Cytoxan
• Doxil
• Doxorubicin
• Etoposide
• Gemcitabine
• Paclitaxel
• Taxol
• More Drugs
• More Vitamins & Supplements