Ovarian cancer is a disease in which, depending on the type and stage of the disease, malignant (cancerous) cells are found inside, near, or on the outer layer of the ovaries.

An ovary is one of two small, almond-shaped organs located on each side of the uterus that store eggs, or germ cells, and produce female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Ovarian cancer may cause several signs and symptoms. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are as follows:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Trouble eating or feeling full quickly after eating
• Urinary symptoms such as urgency or frequent urination.

Other symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

• Extreme tiredness
• Upset stomach
• Back pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Constipation
• Changes in a woman’s period, such as heavier bleeding than normal bleeding or irregular bleeding
• Abdominal swelling with weight loss.
• Back pain
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Loss of appetite

Related Blogs- Early Warning Signs of Ovarian Cancer

Some of the causes of ovarian cancer are as follows:

• Family History: Women with the family history of ovarian cancer are at the higher risk of developing the ovarian cancer as compared with other women. Genetic screening can help to determine whether somebody carries certain genes that are associated with an increased risk.
• Age: Most cases of ovarian cancer occur after menopause and especially in women aged over 63 years. It is rare before the age of 40 years.
• Reproductive history: Women who had one or more full term pregnancies, before the age of 26 years. The more pregnancies they have, the lower the risk. Breastfeeding may also decrease the risk.
  
• Birth Control: Increased use of birth control pills or contraceptive pills increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
• Obesity and overweight: Obesity and overweight appear to increase the risk of developing many cancers. Ovarian cancer is more common in women with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30.
• Endometriosis: Women who develop endometriosis have an around 30 percent higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, compared with other women.

Following is the diagnosis of ovarian cancer:

• Blood tests: Some blood tests are crucial to be done for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
• Imaging tests: Some imaging tests such as Transvaginal ultrasound, MRI, or a CT scan are used for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
• Laparoscopy: A laparoscope, a thin viewing tube with a camera at the end, is inserted through a small incision in the lower abdomen. This will allow the doctor to see the ovaries and, if necessary, to take a tissue sample
• Colonoscopy: If there is constipation or bleeding from the rectum, a colonoscopy may be needed, to examine the large intestine or colon.
• Abdominal fluid aspiration: If the patient’s abdomen is swollen, there may be a buildup of fluid, which can be examined by using a fine needle to remove some fluid from the abdomen.
• Biopsy: The usual way to diagnose ovarian cancer is to remove the tumor or part of the tumor to examine for the presence of cancer cells.

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