About this disease
What it is about
Since ovarian cancer does not cause bleeding or pain at an early stage of the tumor, the cancer has often already spread at the time of diagnosis and metastases are present in the abdominal cavity. Women of any age can be affected. Half of the patients are younger than 60 years. Ovarian cancer is more likely to occur with certain hereditary changes, especially with a defect in the BRCA1 and 2 genes.
Symptoms and consequences
There are no clear symptoms of ovarian cancer. In case of unclear abdominal pain, increase in abdominal circumference or palpable tumor, a check-up with the gynecologist should be performed. It is important to seek genetic counseling and, if necessary, testing if there are several tumor diseases in the direct family, especially breast cancer, ovarian or fallopian tube cancer, peritoneal cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer, since prophylactic removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes may be advisable in the case of a possible BRCA mutation.
What we do for you
Examination and diagnosis
The suspected diagnosis is made by means of a computed tomography (CT) scan, blood sampling and a clinical examination. Computed tomography usually reveals a tumor on or around the ovary or adjacent to the peritoneum. There is also the possibility that a protein in the blood, the so-called tumor marker CA-125, is significantly elevated. If there is also an increase in abdominal girth, increasing loss of appetite or fatigue, the probability of ovarian cancer is high.
Treatment
If ovarian cancer is suspected, the situation is discussed at the interdisciplinary tumor board together with specialists from gynecology, oncology, surgery, radio-oncology, radiology, pathology and possibly other departments of a partner hospital. Chemotherapy and surgery are often recommended. However, depending on the type and spread, an individual treatment plan is developed.