Ovarian Cancer A Lethal Gynecological Malignancy

Ovarian cancer is a lethal gynecological malignancy; although median age of diagnosis is 56 and older (post-menopausal) it can affect women of any child-birthing age. It is the 5th most common cancer diagnosed in the UK with 7,284 new cases in 2013 (Ovarian Cancer Statistics, 2013) Although the incidence is less than that of breast cancer, there is a greater number of deaths (4,271 deaths) associated with it. Almost three-quarters of the ovarian cancer are diagnosed at late stages after tumors have metastasized within the peritoneal cavity. Ovarian cancer can either affect the epithelial lining of the ovaries or arise from non-epithelial origins. Approximately 90% of primary malignant tumors present as epithelial carcinomas (EC).†¦show more content†¦Type II carcinomas (high grade serous, high grade endometrioid and undifferentiated carcinomas) present at advanced stages, are genetically unstable and aggressive (Koshiyama, Matsumura and Konishi, 2014). One of the main reasons that ovarian cancer goes undetected for so long is because symptoms presented are similar to other gastrointestinal disorders and is commonly misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, abdominal fullness, bowel habit changes, bloating and dyspepsia (Bankhead et al., 2014). If symptoms persist and the GP suspects ovarian cancer, a blood test is commonly performed to detect for protein CA125 in blood; a tumor marker used to assess ovarian cancer. However, this method is not specific because elevated levels are common in other gynecological conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids (Chu and Rubin, 2006). The increased levels may be an indicator since normal surface epithelium of the ovary does not express this protein and other tests can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Also a transvaginal ultrasound is done where a probe is inserted into the vagina to examine the fallopian tubes, womb and ovaries to detect any abnormalities. When a tumor is suspected, a gynecological laparoscopy is performed where the fallopian tubes,