When facing ovarian cancer, the treatment for this silent killer is overwhelming and daunting. For those who don’t know, Ovarian cancer is a serious health concern that affects women every year.
The journey and recovery stage process is always filled with uncertainties. Many women are often failed because of unknown situations and the surgery.
Many factors must be considered, like pre-ovarian operation, post-surgery, and what to expect.
To help women who are suffering from ovarian cancer, we have shared this guide that will help you understand what ovarian cancer is, the signs and risk factors of ovarian cancer, and what you should prepare yourself for and expect from an ovarian operation.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is one of the types of cancer that affects your ovary. Ovaries are reproductive glands that are responsible for producing eggs and hormones. When the cells in the ovary grow in abnormal ways, they often grow in the form of a tumor.
Later, with time, this tumor starts to spread around the other parts of the body. Though there are symptoms that are linked to ovarian cancer, they are so subtle that women often ignore them as minor issues. This leads to low detection of ovarian cancer in the early stage.
There are several other types of cancers that fall under ovarian cancer, like epithelial, germ cell, and stromal tumors.
What are the Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer?
There are several reasons that increase the risk behind the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Risks of Ovarian Cancer Surgery:
- The first and foremost risk and major reason behind ovarian cancer is age. Older women and women around 50 are the ones who are most affected by ovarian cancer.
- Secondly, having a family history, someone in the family who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer before. Ovarian cancer is often passed down through genetics, so it increases the chances of ovarian cancer.
- Genetic mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are also one of the primary reasons behind the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Another risk factor behind ovarian cancer is infertility and women who have never been pregnant.
- Girls who have an early period (before the age of 12) and women in their menopause period (45 to 50, which is the stage when women stop producing eggs and stop having menstruation) are primarily at risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
- Studies also suggested that women who are overweight and obese can increase the risk.
Critical Considerations After Ovarian Cancer Surgery
- It is important to constantly monitor your surgical incision after post-surgery of ovarian cancer as there are high chances of catching an infection after the operation of ovarian cancer.
- If ovarian cancer is spread to other parts of the body, significant bleeding and blood loss should be considered to remove the tumour.
- If ovarian cancer spreads and damages other organs of the body, not only the ovary can be removed, but also other organs like the uterus, fallopian tubes, and intestines can be taken out.
- Patients are often at risk of developing blood clots, particularly after post-ovarian operation. This can often be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
- Some long-term effects like anemia, memory problems, and gastrointestinal problems can also be noticed in ovarian cancer patients.
Different Types of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is divided into three major types, which are later segregated into many subtypes.
- Epithelial Ovarian Cance: It is the most common ovarian cancer and accounts for around 90 percent of ovarian cancer cases. Subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer include serous, endometrioid, clear cell, and mucinous.
- Germ Cell Ovarian Cancer: The second type of ovarian cancer that sounds like around 2 percent of cases. This type of cancer affects all ages of females, more particularly teenagers. When diagnosed at an early stage, this type of ovarian cancer is often curable.
- Stromal Ovarian Cancer: This cancer is often developed around connective tissue cells. This cancer accounts for 1 percent of cases and is the rarest ovarian cancer. Some signs of stromal ovarian cancer are bloating, heavy bleeding, going to the washroom too many times, etc.
Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
The early signs of ovarian cancer are often vague and mistaken for other health issues. This is why ovarian cancer is named as a silent killer. It is classified into four stages.
In the first and second stages, ovarian cancer develops in the ovaries and later spreads to the fallopian tubes or pelvis.
Only in the third and fourth stages is ovarian cancer detected, which often becomes difficult to treat. That is, treating ovarian cancer early is essential.
Here are some of the symptoms that will help you identify ovarian cancer early on.
- Feeling persistent abdominal pain, bloating, or often feeling full just after a small appetite is a common early symptom of ovarian cancer.
- Pain in the lower part of the stomach or pelvis is also one of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. This pain is often mistaken as menstruation cramps, gas, or digestive problems.
- A loss of appetite or often feeling full is one of the early signs of ovarian cancer. This can lead to weight loss and feeling tired and weak.
- An increase in urination without even drinking too much water or other liquid fluid could be one of the reasons for ovarian cancer.
- Constant fatigue and back pain that seem to worsen with time can be associated with ovarian cancer.
- For some women, pain during intercourse can also be an indication of ovarian cancer.
- Other minor signs like changes in menstruation, indigestion, nausea, and breathlessness could be considered as symptoms of ovarian cancer.
How is Ovarian Cancer Treated?
The treatment of ovarian cancer usually depends on the type of ovarian cancer and the condition of the tumour. In some ovarian cancer cases, the disease is treated with
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone Therapy
The first and foremost approach that surgeons mostly use is surgery. This is used to remove as many tumours as possible. It can involve removing both ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus, etc, depending on how far the tumour has spread.
While chemotherapy is used to kill the remaining cancer cells, the approach of targeting specific cells which are weak is often used in treating ovarian cancer. Hormone therapy may also be used in blocking hormones that are needed by some subtypes of ovarian cancer to grow.
What to Expect After Surgery for Ovarian Cancer?
The recovery from ovarian cancer is quite a difficult process, and what you should be expecting would vary from person to person and the condition and seriousness of the ovarian cancer.
Here are the things you can expect after surgery:
- Post-surgery Hospital Stay
- Managing Pain and Discomfort
- Diet and Recovery Tips
- Monitoring Surgical Wounds
- Digestive Changes Post-Surgery
Many women patients stay in the hospital for around 7 to 10 days; however, this stay may end up extending depending on the complexity of ovarian cancer. During your stay, professional doctors will assist and monitor vital signs, pain levels, and recovery process rates.
Just after the surgery, you may start experiencing pain and discomfort. To reduce the pain, your assisting doctor would prescribe you some medications to help you overcome this.
With time for your better and quick recovery, a well-balanced diet plan will be given. Over time, as you recover, you can do moderate exercise, walk for short distances, etc.
While your surgical wound may be closed with stitches and staples, it is important to make sure there is no sign of inflection around the wound. Make sure the area is clean and dry, and if there is any sign of swelling or redness, immediately contact your consulting doctor. After surgery, you may also find it difficult to eat and digest. With that, you would also see the changes in bowel movements, which are normal.
Why Choose Dr. Aditi Bhatt for Ovarian Cancer Treatment?
Dr Aditi Bhatt is considered one of the ovarian cancer specialists in Ahmedabad. She has extensive experience that makes her one of the best ovarian cancer surgeons in Ahmedabad. Her deep understanding and expertise ensure all her patients get what they deserve.
With a proven track record, she has successfully treated many ovarian cancer patients, improving their chances of survival and recurrence rate.
Dr. Bhatt not only considers treating ovarian cancer most effectively but also considers their emotional and mental well-being. This holistic approach makes her unique among other ovarian cancer surgeons.
