The Complications of Ovarian Cancer

The ovaries are truly one of nature's most beautiful and mind-boggling developments. They produce the ovum that eventually results in the miracle of human life. But, as with any part of the body that is complicated and involves multiple processes (and really, which parts don't?), the ovaries are vulnerable to cancerous growths.

Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer in women, claiming around 15,000 lives every year. It develops primarily on the outer wall of the ovaries, known as the epithelium, but can appear in other regions as well. There is no definite cause of the disease, but there are certain identifiable risk factors.

Women who develop ovarian cancer usually share certain characteristics. The most well-documented of these has to do with pregnancy. Women who have their first pregnancy relatively earlier, and who become pregnant more often, and who have their last pregnancy at a later date, are all more likely to live a cancer-free life than women on the other end of this spectrum. It is unknown precisely by what mechanism this takes place. Some birth control pills have also been shown to prevent the cancer, if they are taken on a regular, long-term basis.

As with almost all forms of cancer, it is more likely to appear in people who have a family history of either ovarian cancer, or other forms of non-skin or blood cancers, for example colorectal cancer. Along with this difficulty in predicting who will suffer from the disease is the fact that its symptoms are generalized and relatively vague. Conditions that resemble gastrointestinal difficulties-indigestion, bloating, constipation, diarrhea-may be common across ovarian cancer victims. There are other symptoms, many of which could very well be mistaken for normal conditions of female physiology.

Due to the difficulty with diagnosing this disease in the earlier stages, it is often referred to as the silent killer. A term that references the fact that the disease, before it is detected, is likely to progress to the point where treatment is not very effective. It is not hopeless, however. There are some proven ways to prevent onset of ovarian cancer even though we don't know its exact cause. Having children earlier in life is one tactic, though this is exactly the opposite trend that we see amongst educated women today.

Another tactic is to have one's tubes tied. This procedure, known as a tubal ligation, dramatically reduces the chances of getting breast cancer, and it may be an especially good choice for women who have a family history of cancer. Less dramatic methods include daily consumption of birth control pills, or even aspirin (which has been shown to help, but the exact level of benefit is undetermined).

All in all we need to do more as a society to fight this silent killer. With many women waiting to have their children until their later years, it seems that it is even more important now than before to investigate the disease thoroughly.

3 Types of Ovarian Cancer Explained

The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. There are two ovaries (a left one and a right one) and when women get old enough to have children one of the ovaries releases an egg each month. These eggs then pass down the fallopian tube to the womb where they can be fertilised with sperm. If the eggs are not fertilised they exit the body during the woman's monthly period. Aside from releasing eggs, the ovaries are also responsible for producing oestrogen and progesterone.

Ovarian cancer develops when something goes wrong with the cell division process in the ovaries causing them to grow in a rapid and uncontrollable way. It is the fourth most common type of cancer in females with around 7,000 women contracting it in the UK each year. This condition is most prevalent in menopausal women and is rarely diagnosed in women under 40. There are three main types of ovarian cancer and I will be discussing each of them in greater detail below.

1) EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER:- This type of cancer occurs when the cells that line the ovaries (the epithelium) start to grow in a rapid, out of control way. Between 70% and 80% of ovary cancers are this type and it is almost always diagnosed in women who have been through the menopause.

2) GERM CELL OVARIAN CANCER:- This type of cancer develops when the germ cells (the cells responsible for making eggs) start to grow rapidly and uncontrollably. Approximately 15% of ovary cancers are this type and unlike the other forms of this disease, germ cell ovarian cancer normally affects younger women.

3) STROMAL OVARIAN CANCER:- This type of cancer develops when the connective tissues of the ovaries become cancerous and start to grow in a rapid, uncontrollable way. Between 5% and 10% of ovary cancers are this type. This variation normally only affects one of the two ovaries.

Although there are three main kinds of ovarian cancer the risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatments and survival rates are similar for each. Women who contract this type of cancer have a five year survival rate of around 75% if it stays within the ovaries although this drops to about 20% if the cancer spreads to other areas of the body. It is not known exactly what causes this disease but age, obesity and family history are all thought to have an influence. The symptoms of ovary cancer are often very mild or non-existent but when they do surface they include bloating, constipation and stomach pain. If you are diagnosed with this condition surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the three most common treatment options.

I hope this article has given you a brief overview of this condition. Whilst being diagnosed with cancer is never going to be a pleasant experience this type of cancer is very treatable if caught early. If you have any concerns regarding ovary cancer then go see your doctor and explain your concerns. They will be able to answer your questions and give you a professional, qualified opinion.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Ovarian cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Learn About the Stages of Cervical Cancer Part II

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Previously, we took a look at the first two stages in cervical cancer development. In this concluding piece, we take a look at the remaining three.

In stage III, cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina and may have spread to the pelvic wall and nearby lymph nodes. Stage III is divided into stages IIIA and IIIB, again based on how far the cancer has spread.

In IIIA, the cervical cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina but not to the pelvic wall. In IIIB, Cancer has spread to the pelvic wall and/or the tumor has become large enough to block the ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder). This blockage can cause the kidneys to enlarge or stop working. Cancer cells may also have spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis.

In stage IV, cancer has spread to the bladder, rectum, or other parts of the body. Stage IV is divided into stages IVA and IVB, based on where the cancer is found.

At IVA, the cancer has spread to the bladder or rectal wall and may have spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis. In IVB, the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis and pelvic lymph nodes to other places in the body, such as the abdomen, liver, intestinal tract, or lungs.

These basically sum up vital information about the stages of cervical cancer. It is your job to continue to educate yourself and have the feeling of power over cancer - and not let cancer take over you. I wish you the best of luck.

Cervical Cancer - 3 Ways Detect it Early

In the previous years, women aged 60 and above were the ones most prone to cervical cancer. But with the 2009 report, an alarming 58% of these cases were women within the age range of 40 and 50 years old only. With such stats, it is therefore important to know the signs of cervical carcinoma so that its symptoms can be contained. Advanced cases of this type of medical condition can become invasive, which means that there is a very good chance that the cancer cells will afflict surround tissues and muscles as well.

So what are the most common signs of cervical cancer?

1. Abnormal vaginal bleeding. Abnormal bleeding or signs of unusual blood spotting is one of the more common signs of the pre-cancer stages of the cervix. It may come in various forms like: blood spotting between menstrual periods, bouts of heavy and light menstruation, vaginal bleeding after sex, blood spotting after the menopausal stage and even vaginal bleeding after douching. In some cases, the woman may experience unusual discharge between menstruation's.

2. Pain during sexual intercourse. Vaginal bleeding is often preceded by pain during sexual intercourse. This may be due to the increased sensitivity or inflammation of the tissues and muscles of the cervix. In advanced stages, pain in this area is an indication that the cancer cells have already spread out to the surrounding areas.

3. Pain during normal bodily functions. Two other signs of cervical cancer include pain during peeing and bowel movement. Pain brought about by UTI or urinary tract infection is another indication that the muscles of the reproductive system is on a hyper sensitive stage.

Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is a cancer of the womb, which is also referred to as a uterine cancer. The uterus is located in the pelvic area and is shaped similar to that of a papaya or a pear. 90% of all uterine cancers are endometrial cancers, and are the third most common amongst women.

The cancer occurs in the cells of the inner lining of the uterus which is called the endometrium. As this lining grows, cancer is formed. Medical professionals do not know the cause of endometrium cancer, but the majority of evidences point to having been exposed to high levels of estrogen.

Endometrial cancer mainly affects women who have gone through menopause, especially those who are 55 years of age, or older.

Some of the risk factors include obesity, a high intake of animal proteins and fats, diabetics, women who have had breast or ovarian cancer, women who have been treated with tamoxifen, women who have never had children, have irregular menstrual cycles, and have high blood pressure.

The good thing about endometrial cancers is that it is highly treatable. Most women are able to detect the symptoms at an early enough stage for treatments to be effective and cure the cancer.

Some of the signs and symptoms associated with Endometrial cancer are:

Bleeding or spotting, beginning at 12 months after menopause. This is usually the first sign and it may not always be the result of cancer, but nevertheless, it should be checked out by a medical professional.
Bleeding in between periods in pre-menopausal women. This also may not be a sign of cancer, but still should be checked out just to be on the safe side.
Any unusual vaginal discharge which is not related to the menstrual cycle may also be a sign of cancer.
Unusual long, heavy or frequent vaginal bleedings after the age of 40.
A thin white, or clear vaginal discharge after menopause.
Bleeding after intercourse.
Pain during intercourse.
Trouble urinating.
Lower abdominal pain.
Pelvic pain might also be a symptom, although this rarely occurs.
Weight loss, loss of appetite, and fatigue are also symptoms which should not be ignored.

If you are at risk for developing endometrial cancer and you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you need to have it checked out by a medical professional. A biopsy will be done to determine whether cancer is present or not. If cancer is present, or suspected, a sample of the endometrium will be removed for further testing.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Cancer that begins in the ovaries or the fallopian tubes is called ovarian cancer. The risk of ovarian cancer rises with age. More than 50 % of deaths due to ovarian caner occur in women between 55 and 74, and about a 25 % in women between 35 and 54. Ovarian cancer has been termed the 'Silent Killer' even in medical textbooks because there are no symptoms until a considerably advanced stage of the disease. Recent studies, however, show that though there are no symptoms that are characteristic to ovarian cancer, the following warning signs manifest a few months before the cancer is detected:

Pelvic, abdominal, or back pain

Weight gain or weight loss

Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge (heavy menstrual flow or menopausal bleeding)

Discomfort during sex

Frequent or intense need to urinate; burning sensation or spasms while urinating

Feeling full even though you haven't eaten much

Vague gastro-intestinal problems, like gas, indigestion, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea and vomiting, bloody stool, prolonged constipation or diarrhoea

Unexplained increase in waistline

Shortness of breath

Fatigue

If you experience any of the above symptoms over two or three weeks and if it gets worse with time, you should get yourself tested for ovarian cancer. As these symptoms could be associated with any other disease or minor ailment, it is impossible to diagnose ovarian cancer on their merit alone. The doctor will conduct a pelvic exam, an abdominal or vaginal ultrasound, and a blood test to check for the presence of CA 125. None of these tests are conclusive in themselves. But, a positive count on two or more of the tests should be followed by a biopsy (laparotomy) or a laparoscopy to rule out or diagnose ovarian cancer.

A very small percentage of women facing these symptoms are diagnosed with the dreaded disease. And sometimes, women can reach the very last stages of cancer with no symptoms at all. The best you can do is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and undergo an annual examination to catch the cancer before it metastasizes.

The Stages Of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a slow-growing and malignant cancer. The cancer cells are formed in the cells on the surface of the cervix, which is located in the pelvic area. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, and is the tubular muscle which connects the uterus to the birth canal.

Cervical cancer is mainly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread by sexual contact. This virus does not always cause cancer, but it is the cause in most cases. Whether or not this virus will lead to cancer depends on the lifestyle and immune system of that individual. Those with a strong immune system can normally fight the virus.

There are basically two main types of cancerous cells in cervical cancer. The Squamous cell carcinomas and the Adenocarcinomas. 80 to 90 percent of all cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. These begin in the thin cells which line the bottom of the cervix. 10 to 20 percent are Adenocarcinomas, and they begin in the glandular cells which line the upper part of the cervix.

What are the stages of cervical cancer?

Basically there are 5 stages of this cancer, and they usually are numbered 0-4. If the cancer is not stopped in time it will spread to the uterus, bladder, abdomen, lungs and other organs. Once it spreads to the organs, there is little or no hope of survival.

Stage 0.) At this stage the cancer cells exist only on the surface of the cervix, and have not begun to spread into the deeper tissues.

Stage 1.) The cancer still remains in the cervix, but the cells have begun to spread into the deeper tissues.

Stage 2.) The cancer has begun to spread to the surrounding tissues of the cervix, and possibly the upper part of the vagina.

Stage 3.) The cancer is starting to spread outside of the cervix. It either spreads down and into the vagina, and into the muscles that line the lower pelvic wall. Or it spreads up towards the

bladder where it can block the flow of urine coming from the kidneys and draining into the bladder.

Stage 4.) The cancer is spreading to the rest of the body, the uterus, and vital organs.

Symptoms of cervical cancer may not appear until the later stages of the cancer, but abnormal or pre-cancerous cells can be detected with a pap smear before the cancer occurs. The sooner the cancer is detected, the greater chance of surviving it.