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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: ovarian cancer + ovarian cancer: + cancer  Related to the article below (Last Update: 7/8/2008)

Significant Proportion Of Men Told Wife's Cancer Was Incurable ... Science Daily (press release) - The researchers speculated that because ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, husbands may have known about the severity of their wives' ... Cancer risk not higher for IVF mums The Age, Australia - Women who undergo fertility treatment are no more likely to develop breast or ovarian cancer than any other female, an international review shows. ... New Ovarian Stimulation Technique Offers More Cancer Patients The ... Science Daily (press release) - Jul 7, 2008 "This new protocol would enable patients with cancers such as breast cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma to have ovarian stimulation and oocyte collection. ... BBC News New technique may allow more cancer patients to preserve their ... Cancer Research UK - News & Resources, UK - "This new protocol would enable patients with cancers such as breast cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma to have ovarian stimulation and oocyte (egg) collection," ... New baby hope for cancer women The Press Association New fertility technique targets women with cancer Reuters UK Cancer patients' fertility hope BBC News Telegraph.co.uk - Daily Mail all 23 news articles » Simple Blood Tests for Monitoring Cancer Patients PR-USA.net (press release), Bulgaria - Dr. Vegh-Goyarts notes, "Three examples of such substances that are most often tested are CA-125 for ovarian cancer, CA 15-3 for advanced breast cancer and ... Running in underwear to help in cancer fight Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, CA - The expected number of annual cases of colorectal cancer is more than 150000. It is anticipated that more than 22000 new cases of ovarian cancer will arise ... Honolulu Club fundraiser for cancer KHNL-TV/KHBC/KOGG, HI - Jul 7, 2008 She also is a survivor of ovarian cancer, so the money will go to an organization to fund research on ovarian cancer. "Spinning would be a way to give back ... Reproductive Concerns and Cancer Treatment: What You Need to Know Cancer Consultants, ID - Jul 7, 2008 The risk of infertility following treatment depends on many factors, some of which include age at diagnosis, baseline ovarian reserve, type of cancer, ... Sydney Morning Herald Expert warns older mums of cancer risk Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - Jul 5, 2008 The Garvan Institute's head of ovarian cancer research, Philippa O'Brien, said delaying childbirth increased not only the risk of infertility but also the ... Cancer Monthly DCA - a Cancer Treatment? Cancer Monthly, NC - Future research will also look at the potential benefit of DCA on other types of cancers, including ovarian cancer, and try to determine why some cancer ...

Ovarian Cancer

In the female body, two ovaries (each about an inch-and-a-half long) are located on the left and right sides of the uterus in the pelvic region. Ovaries produce hormones and hold egg cells, which can develop into a fetus when fertilized.

Each year more than 22,000 women in the United States learn that they have ovarian cancer.

When cancer cells are found in the lining of the ovary, the condition is called epithelial ovarian cancer. When malignant cells or tumor are found in the egg-producing cells, the condition is called germ cell ovarian cancer. Genetic screening can help determine if a woman is a carrier of a mutated (changed) gene and, therefore, at greater risk of developing the disease.

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Often no symptoms are evident in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, they may include:

• Gas, nausea, indigestion that does not go away
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained change in bowel habits
• Abnormal postmenopausal bleeding
• Weight gain or loss
• Pain during intercourse
• Abdominal swelling and/or pain, bloating or a feeling of fullness. Ovarian cancer may spread to the sac inside the abdomen that holds the intestines, uterus and ovaries - causing fluid to accumulate and the abdomen to swell.
• Shortness of breath caused by the spread of the disease to the muscle under the lung. Fluid buildup in the area makes it difficult for the patient to breathe.

• A family history of the disease, especially in a mother, daughter or sister
• Family history of breast or colon cancer
• Being a woman who has had breast or colon cancer
• Being a women older than age 50
• Never having had children
• Having taken certain fertility drugs

A comprehensive medical history is taken, and a physical exam (including a pelvic examination) is performed. For this, the doctor inserts one gloved finger in the rectum and one in the vagina at the same time. The vagina, rectum and lower abdomen are probed for masses and growths. Taking a mild laxative or enema before the pelvic exam can be helpful. Other tests include:

• A Pap smear (a common test for cancer of the cervix) is often part of the pelvic exam, though it does not offer a reliable way to diagnose ovarian cancer. Every woman should undergo regular rectal and vaginal pelvic examinations.
• Transvaginal sonography and tumor markers are alternative ways of diagnosing ovarian cancer.
• Ultrasonography aims high frequency sound waves at the ovaries. The echo pattern produced creates a picture called a sonogram. Healthy tissues, fluid-filled cysts and tumors produce different echoes.
• A computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan, a series of computerized X-rays, allows doctors to see cancer cells.
• A lower GI series, or barium enema, is a series of X-rays of the colon and rectum. Pictures are taken after the patient is given an enema with a white chalky solution containing barium. The barium outlines the colon and the rectum on the X-ray, which helps the doctor see tumors or other abnormal areas.
• An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is an X-ray of the kidneys and uterus taken when dye is injected into the body.
• Blood tests measure a substance in the blood called CA-125. Ovarian cancer cells can produce this tumor marker. CA-125 is not always present in women with ovarian cancer, though it may be present in women who have benign ovarian conditions. This blood test cannot be used alone to diagnose cancer.

Treating ovarian cancer depends on a number of factors, including the stage of the disease and the woman's age and general health. Oncologists who specialize in this disease can best determine the treatment plan. Because treatment decisions are complex, more than one doctor's advice can be helpful.

When talking about choices, the patient may want to ask about taking part in a research study or clinical trial. These scientific studies are designed to find new and better ways to treat cancer. Ovarian cancer treatment possibilities are:

• Surgery to remove the uterus, both ovaries and the fallopian tubes
• Chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs)
• Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy)