In 70% of ovarian cancer cases, diagnosis comes late, since many of the disease’s symptoms, such as gastrointestinal or urinary issues, can be mistaken for other conditions like colitis, infections, or indigestion, notes Dr. Milagros Pérez Quintanilla, gynecologic oncologist at ABC Medical Center.
This condition generally affects women between ages 50 and 60 and is caused by the uncontrolled growth of ovarian cells. It’s known as a “silent disease” because women typically don’t experience symptoms in the early stages.
“In Mexico, in 2015, there were 291,637 deaths among women, of which 13.9% were caused by malignant tumors. Among the cancers responsible for the most deaths were breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer, which together accounted for 31.3% of all cancer deaths in women that same year.”
Dr. Pérez explains that ovarian cancer is generally classified into three stages:
- Early stage. The disease is confined exclusively to the affected ovary.
- Advanced stage. The disease has spread beyond the ovary where it originated, such as to the intestine or uterus.
- Metastatic stage. The disease has spread to vital areas of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or central nervous system.
With ovarian cancer, the goal isn’t necessarily a cure, but rather management; the type of treatment followed depends on the patient’s stage. For example, during the early stage, surgery is the main option, the ovaries, uterus, and peritoneum are removed, followed by washing out the abdominal cavity. Biopsies are also performed.
In the advanced stage, chemotherapy is used, and surgery may be considered depending on the specific case.
In the metastatic stage, only palliative chemotherapy is given, with no intent to cure.
How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?To date, no single ideal test has been found for diagnosing this disease, notes Dr. Pérez. As a result, a process known as risk stratification is used. This is an ongoing process that considers the patient’s current symptoms, as well as their personal and family medical history; depending on each case, tests such as a gynecological ultrasound, the CA-125 tumor marker, and frequent gynecological checkups may be ordered. This helps stratify patients and identify their risk level.
Currently, there’s no annual test recommended for ovarian cancer, unlike the Pap smear or mammogram for cervical and breast cancer, since there’s no scientific evidence supporting one. Meanwhile, the CA-125 tumor marker, without additional testing or a clinical history, doesn’t carry much significance on its own.
The most important thing every woman can do is get annual checkups and talk with her gynecologist starting at age 50 to help catch this disease early. If there’s a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, checkups are recommended starting at age 40.
On the other hand, if symptoms such as abdominal bloating, swelling, constipation, or others are noticed, it’s best to see a doctor right away so the appropriate tests can be done. Dr. Pérez notes that it’s far better to have a doctor rule out this condition than to ignore the symptoms, assuming they’re something else.
There are several risk factors to consider for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, including family history, anovulation, endometriosis, which triples the risk compared to women without endometriosis, and smoking. All of these factors can increase the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer.
Dr. Pérez explains that 70% of diagnoses come late, typically at stage three, at which point only 30% of women diagnosed will survive. This is why it’s so important to get regular checkups, so that if ovarian cancer does develop, it can be caught early.
At ABC Medical Center’s Cancer Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
