Content on this page:
Content on this page:
Overview
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the
ovaries as stated in the Introduction
section.
Asia has the highest incidence of ovarian cancer. Survival rate, incidence and prevalence of
this cancer worldwide and regionally can be found in the Epidemiology section.
Majority of primary ovarian malignancies are epithelial,
while the remainder are germ cell or sex cord-stromal tumors. Pathogenesis of
these tumors are discussed in the Pathophysiology
section.
The cause of ovarian cancer remains poorly understood;
however, there are theories on its origin and the Etiology section enumerates and discusses these.
The Risk Factors
section presents the factors that can increase and decrease the risk of
developing ovarian cancer.
The Classification
section lists the three histologic types of ovarian cancer as well as the less
common ovarian histopathologies.
History and Physical Examination
The Clinical Presentation
section mentions that the diagnosis of ovarian cancer can be difficult due to
non-specific symptoms, but this section enumerates the most frequent symptoms
of ovarian cancer.
The History section also emphasizes the
importance of eliciting information on the different risk factors, especially
genetic, that can predispose patients to ovarian cancer.
As stated in the Physical
Examination section, pelvic examination is not sensitive for
detecting ovarian masses but the presence of a pelvic mass during clinical
evaluation is an important sign of possible ovarian cancer. Rectovaginal
examination should also be performed on the patient.
Diagnosis
The Laboratory Tests and
Ancillaries section
enumerates the tests to be done in women >40 years of age with persistent
unexplained gynecologic or gastrointestinal symptoms. This section also
discusses the other tests to be done in assessing patients suspected to have
ovarian cancer.
The Imaging
section enumerates the tests to be done to confirm the presence of a pelvic
mass and to distinguish this from other lesions.
The Differential
Diagnosis section enumerates the diseases that may mimic ovarian
cancer that should be ruled out.
Management
The Evaluation
section features the Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) that is used in women with
suspected ovarian cancer to help guide management. This section also features
the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Ovarian Cancer
Staging System that helps in determining treatment and prognosis of a patient
with ovarian cancer.
The Pharmacological
Therapy section includes the discussion of drug options used in
the treatment of patients with different types of ovarian cancer. This includes
initial systemic therapy and therapy for recurrent disease.
Recommendations for patients who will undergo observation
and active surveillance are enumerated in the Nonpharmacological
section.
Surgery is an option for the management of ovarian cancer,
and the techniques are enumerated and discussed in the Surgery section.
Though the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of
ovarian cancer is limited, the Radiation
Therapy section mentions its use in palliative treatment as well
as other indications.
Tests and assessments to be done in the
surveillance of patients with ovarian cancer are in the Monitoring section, while the Prognosis section mentions the likely
disease course after two consecutive chemotherapy regimens.
