Expert Care for Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment | AIROC Hospitals

About Ovarian Cancer – Overview and Types

Ovarian cancer develops when cells within one or both ovaries grow and multiply abnormally. The ovaries are a pair of small organs in the female reproductive system responsible for producing eggs and hormones. At AIROC Hospitals, our gynecologic oncology specialists provide advanced diagnostic and treatment expertise for ovarian cancer, which is often referred to as a "silent" cancer because its early symptoms can be subtle and easily overlooked.

Ovarian cancer frequently goes undetected until it has spread beyond the ovary, largely because early symptoms tend to be vague and can resemble common digestive or gynecologic issues. At AIROC Hospitals, our team emphasizes careful evaluation of persistent symptoms and thorough diagnostic workup to support earlier detection whenever possible.

Types of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is classified based on the type of cell in which it originates:

• Epithelial Ovarian Cancer – The most common type, accounting for the majority of cases, arising from the cells covering the outer surface of the ovary; further divided into subtypes such as serous, endometrioid, clear cell, and mucinous carcinoma.
• Germ Cell Tumors – A less common type that develops from the cells that form eggs, more frequently occurring in younger women and adolescents.
• Stromal Tumors – Arise from the connective tissue cells that produce hormones, often diagnosed at an earlier stage due to hormone-related symptoms.
• Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma – A rare cancer closely related to ovarian cancer that develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Identifying the exact type and subtype of ovarian cancer is essential for guiding treatment, and our specialists at AIROC Hospitals ensure precise pathological evaluation for every patient.

 

Symptoms and Causes

Common Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer symptoms are often subtle in the early stages and may include:

• Persistent bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Feeling full quickly when eating
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Fatigue
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, particularly after menopause
• Back pain
• Pain during intercourse

Because these symptoms are often mistaken for common digestive or menstrual issues, persistent symptoms lasting more than a few weeks — especially when new or unusual — should be evaluated by a specialist.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of ovarian cancer is not fully understood, but several risk factors have been identified:

• BRCA1 and BRCA2 Gene Mutations: Inherited mutations in these genes significantly increase the risk of ovarian, fallopian tube, and breast cancers.
• Family History: A family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer raises individual risk.
• Age: Most commonly diagnosed in women over 50, particularly after menopause.
• Reproductive History: Never having been pregnant, or having children later in life, may be associated with a slightly increased risk.
• Endometriosis: A history of endometriosis has been linked to certain subtypes of ovarian cancer.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy: Long-term use of certain hormone therapies after menopause may modestly increase risk.
• Hereditary Cancer Syndromes: Conditions such as Lynch syndrome also increase susceptibility to ovarian cancer.
• Obesity: Associated with a modestly increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Understanding these risk factors helps our specialists at AIROC Hospitals guide appropriate genetic counseling and monitoring for women at higher risk.

 

Diagnosis and Treatment

How Ovarian Cancer Is Diagnosed

At AIROC Hospitals, we use a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging, and laboratory testing to diagnose ovarian cancer:

• Pelvic Examination: An initial assessment to check for masses or abnormalities in the ovaries and surrounding structures.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound: Helps visualize the ovaries and detect abnormal growths.
• CA-125 Blood Test: A tumor marker that may be elevated in ovarian cancer, used to support diagnosis and monitor treatment response.
• CT, MRI, or PET Scans: Used to determine the size of the tumor and check for spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes.
• Biopsy or Surgical Exploration: Since ovarian cancer is often confirmed during surgery for a suspected mass, tissue samples are examined to establish the diagnosis and stage.
• Genetic Testing: Recommended to check for BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations and other hereditary factors, which can guide both treatment decisions and family screening.

Treatment Options at AIROC Hospitals

Treatment for ovarian cancer is tailored to the stage, subtype, and the patient's overall health, and may include:

• Surgery: Often the primary treatment, typically involving removal of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and nearby lymph nodes (staging surgery), along with as much visible tumor as possible (debulking).
• Chemotherapy: Commonly used after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells, and sometimes given before surgery to shrink larger tumors.
• Targeted Therapy: Includes PARP inhibitors, which can be particularly effective in patients with BRCA mutations.
• Hormone Therapy: May be considered for certain hormone-receptor-positive tumors, particularly stromal tumors.
• Maintenance Therapy: Ongoing targeted or hormonal treatment after initial therapy to help delay recurrence in appropriate candidates.
• Fertility-Sparing Surgery: An option for select younger patients with early-stage disease who wish to preserve fertility.

Our multidisciplinary team at AIROC Hospitals — including gynecologic oncologists, genetic counselors, and medical oncologists — works together to provide comprehensive, individualized care for women with ovarian cancer.

 

Prevention and Risk Factors

While ovarian cancer cannot always be prevented, certain steps can help reduce risk and support earlier detection:

• Genetic Counseling and Testing: Women with a family history of ovarian, breast, or related cancers should consider genetic counseling to assess BRCA1/BRCA2 status.
• Risk-Reducing Surgery: For women with confirmed BRCA mutations, preventive removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes may significantly lower risk once childbearing is complete.
• Oral Contraceptive Use: Long-term use of combined oral contraceptives has been associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer in some women.
• Awareness of Family History: Understanding and sharing family cancer history with your doctor helps guide personalized risk assessment.
• Prompt Evaluation of Symptoms: Persistent bloating, pelvic pain, or changes in bowel or bladder habits should be assessed by a specialist without delay, even though no standard screening test exists for ovarian cancer in average-risk women.

At AIROC Hospitals, we encourage women — particularly those with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer — to seek genetic counseling and remain attentive to persistent symptoms, as awareness and timely evaluation play a vital role in improving outcomes for ovarian cancer.

 

This content is intended for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Please consult a specialist at AIROC Hospitals for personalized diagnosis and treatment recommendations.