Ovarian Cancer

By Jasmine Roel, Brooke Carlson, and Beka Hussey

Introduction
● Ovarian Cancer is when malignant cancer cells are found
near the outer layer of the ovaries in women
● The ovaries are found on each side of the uterus; where
estrogen is produced and eggs are stored
 ● Being pregnant or being on birth control
can decrease the risk of Ovarian Cancer
○ Both reduce the number of times the
ovary releases an egg

Causes ● Inherited Genetic Mutations

○ Inherited mutation in the BRCA1 &
BRCA2 genes
● Acquired Genetic changes
○ There could be chemicals in the
environment or our diets that would
It is not known what lead to Ovarian Cancer
■ This is not proven but could be a
causes Ovarian Cancer, possibility

there are good theories

however.
Incidence
● 1.3% of women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer during their life
● In 2014, there were 222,060 women diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in the
United States
● There were ~22,440 new cases in 2017
● There were ~14,080 deaths from Ovarian Cancer in 2017
● Ovarian Cancer represents 1.3% of all new cancer cases in the US
Prognosis
● Stage 1
○ Survival Rate: 90%
○ In 1 ovary, found in abdominal fluid, surgery is performed
● Stage 2
○ Survival Rate: 70%
○ Cells have spread to other organs in pelvis
● Stage 3
○ Survival Rate: 39%
○ Cancer spreads to lymph nodes, cells are not visible to naked eye
● Stage 4
○ Survival Rate: 17%
○ Cells are found in fluid around lungs
 ● Pain in pelvis, and lower abdomen, or the
lower part of the body

● Back pain, indigestion or heartburn

Symptoms ● Feeling full rapidly when eating

Most cancers start in the ● More frequent and urgent urination

epithelium, or outer lining or the

ovary
 ❖ Physical Exam
➢ Your doctor will look for physical signs

Diagnosis ❖
of Ovarian Cancer (ex. enlarged ovary)
Transvaginal Ultrasound
➢ Helps locate a tumor
❖ CA-125 Blood Test
➢ CA-125 is a protein in your blood, levels
of CA-125 in women with Ovarian
Cancer is very high
❖ Imaging Tests 35
➢ Ultrasound
■ Used to determine the complexity
25 22
of the tumor
❖ Colonoscopy
15
➢ A test used to look at the tumor
❖ Biopsy
➢ By removing the tumor, doctors can
learn more about it
Treatments New Treatment
● Targeted Therapy (2017)
○ Targets the genes, tissues and
proteins that cancer cells use to
● Surgery is performed to understand live by blocking the growth and
the full extent and stage of the cancer spread of cells
○ During surgery, lymph nodes and ○ Limits the damage to healthy cells
○ 2 or more treatments can be used
tissue are removed for testing.
The surgeon will remove as
much cancer as possible
● Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
○ These methods are used to
prevent the cancer cells from
further dividing
■ Radiation is not a prefered
method for Ovarian Cancer
Alternative Treatments
❖ Complementary Treatments
➢ Complementary Treatments are used in addition to your doctor’s medical treatment
■ Some examples: vitamins, special diets, acupuncture, herb, one they found helpful
was marijuana as it is a pain reliever, massage, dietary supplement some might
not be safe , placebos can be used (good
to use )
❖ Alternative Treatments
➢ Alternative Treatments are used in place of your doctor’s medical care
■ Relieve symptoms and pain but are proven not to work; can be dangerous
● (Do not try)
References
http://ovarian.org/about-ovarian-cancer/what-are-the-signs-a-symptoms

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer

https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/ovary.html

https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/ovarian-fallopian-tube-and-peritoneal-cancer/treatment-options

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/treating.html