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Ovarian Tumors

Ovarian tumors are characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of the cells present in the ovaries of women, thereby leading to the formation of cancerous tumors. The epithelial cells (which are the cells that line the outer surface of the ovaries) are the most common regions where the cancerous tumors develop. Ovarian cancer/tumors are the fifth major cause of death in women worldwide, thus early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to control and prevent any damage caused by the cancer.

  1. Causes of Ovarian Tumors

    • According to a Mayo Clinic study, the risk of developing this form of cancer increases dramatically with age (especially around 70 to 75 years). With age, the cells in the body begin to degenerate, thus the chances of them developing into aggressive/malignant cells increases significantly. According to another Mayo Clinic study, a mutation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes also significantly increase the probability of developing ovarian tumors in women. Other common factors leading to ovarian tumors include having a family history of the condition, obesity, childbearing status and infertility.

    Symptoms

    • Some of the most common symptoms of ovarian tumors include pain and discomfort near the pelvic region, abdominal pressure, pain in the lower back region, extreme fatigue and indigestion. Less common symptoms associated with ovarian cancer include shortness of breath, nausea, loss of appetite and gas.

    Surgery

    • Surgery is often considered to be one of the most effective treatment options available for women suffering from ovarian tumors. In this procedure, the cancerous tumors are surgically removed along with a certain part of the health surrounding tissues. The removal of the tumors often helps control the proliferation of the cancer cells, thus averting the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body.

    Other Treatment Options

    • Some other common treatment methods that are frequently administered to women afflicted with ovarian tumors include radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In radiotherapy, which is often referred to as radiation therapy, the cancerous tumors are subjected to certain high-energy light radiations using an external beam radiator. This exposure often results in minimizing and diminishing the tumor's size, and can eventually lead to its complete eradication. With chemotherapy, certain anti-cancer drugs like Velban are given intravenously to the patient, which can help damage the cells of the tumors by obstructing the blood flow to the tumor cells.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Various factors such as using oral contraceptives, tubal ligation and having a hysterectomy have been found to reduce women's chances of developing ovarian tumors. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), using oral contraceptives reduces the risk of developing the cancer by almost 50-60%.

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