Cancer Information

Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer is a disease that many people have faced in the recent years. Some have won their fight while some have sadly lost it. One of the best ways to preventative health in the aspect of ovarian health is to keep in mind the ovarian cancer symptoms. Hence, if you begin to suffer from any of them, you can seek the quickest and most immediate treatments. It is scientifically proven that the earlier you catch the cancer, better are your chances for survival. So, let’s have a look at some of the more apparent and also the less noticeable symptoms that a woman could experience when suffering from ovarian cancer.

Things like bloating, abdominal pain, trouble eating or even a change in bladder habits can indicate that something may be going wrong and is worth being checked by your doctor. Some of the probable ovarian cancer symptoms can specifically also be the general signs of other illnesses. Hence, to be sure though about the disease and treatment, you should always get yourself checked by your family physician. Issues such as constipation, fatigue, back pain, painful or frequent urination, weight gain or loss, abnormal bleeding and pain with intercourse are problems which indicate that you should probably take the help and opinion of a professional.
Keep in mind as well that some women have been found to be positive for ovarian cancer stage one or later without any symptoms at all. So it is of utmost importance to have your yearly examination, where test are run that could diagnose this disease before you ever suffer effects of it.
Don’t overly worry yourself either. Although any of the symptoms of ovarian cancer listed here can be an early warning sign. They can also mean nothing more than a minor infection or even a non-infected issue that can be cared for in other ways. Symptoms that last for a long time should always be monitored by a doctor and not avoided.

Tags: ovarian cancer stage, ovarian cancer symptoms, symptoms of ovarian cancer

Know About Peritoneal Cancer

Peritoneum is a semi-permeable serous membrane that forms the inner covering of the abdominal cavity thus providing protection to the various abdominal organs such as intestines, liver, stomach, etc. Epithelial cells make this peritoneum. Peritoneal lining produces a lubricating fluid which protects the organs within the abdomen cavity by making them move smoothly whenever there is movement.

Primary peritoneal cancer (PPC) is the cancer which starts in the peritoneum and is rare. It is usually found in women aging between 40 and 60, while it rarely occurs in men. The cancerous growth can begin in any part of the membrane PPC. However, it mostly happens in the lower part of the abdomen (pelvis).

Ovaries are made of three types of tissues, and the ovarian tumors are named in accordance to where the tumor started.
1. Epithelial cells constitute the outer lining of the ovary. When the tumor starts from this lining it is called epithelial tumor and the cancer is called epithelial ovarian cancer or peritoneal ovarian cancer.
2. Germ cells are present inside the ovary. Every month the eggs that are released in the fallopian tubes are developed from these cells. Cells that produce the eggs give rise to germ cell tumors.
3. Stromal cells produce estrogen and progesterone female hormones. Stromal tumors actually originate from these cells.

Reasons of this PPC are not clearly known and specified. Usually a symptom does not show for long time. But some symptoms are: pain in the lower abdomen, changes in the regular pattern of bowel like- constipation, frequent urination, diarrhea, weight gain (which does not signify any reason), swelling in the lower abdomen, sickness and loss of appetite. These symptoms are usually taken very lightly and ignored. Regular body check is the only answer to early detection of any disease.
If the specific blood-test is done to check the level of CA 125 protein and the level is higher than normal, then it confirms PPC or ovarian cancer. Other tests done are ultrasound scan, pelvic ultrasound, vaginal ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan, laparoscopy, laparotomy, abdominal fluid aspiration to verify PPC. Once the tests are positive the treatment is surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Tags: ovarian peritoneal cancer, peritoneal ovarian cancer, Primary peritoneal cancer