Ovarian cancer

Question 1

ovarian cancer is the most _______ womens reproductive cancer

Answer 1

lethal

Question 2

why is ovarian cancer the most lethal female reproductive cancer?

Answer 2

because difficult to diagnose (75% metastasis at detection)

Question 3

etiology and risk factors of ovarian cancer?

Answer 3

• ageing (between 65 & 84 years): also ovlulatory age (duration of unsuppressed cycles-cycle can be broken by pregnancy, lactation, birth contorl pills)
• autosomal dominant in some forms
• family history in others (reproductive cancers, if has breast cancer more increased risk to have ovarian cancer, and more at risk if family member has)
• other risk factors: -nulliparity (no children - menstrual cycle never suppressed) infertility??

Question 4

what are the three categories of tissue in the ovary?

Answer 4

• Epithelial
• germ cell
• stromal

Question 5

90% of ovarian cancer originates in the _____ tissue

Answer 5

epithelial

Question 6

what does autosomal dominant mean?

Answer 6

only have to inherit abnormal gene from one of the parents (offspring has 50% chance of getting)

Question 7

patho of ovarian cancer?

Answer 7

3 categories of tissue in the ovary:
-Epithelial (90% of cancer is in epithelial )
-germ cell
-stromal
silent growth and spread:
-tubes, uterus, ligaments & other organs
(pressure on adjacent organs or abdominal distention(damage causing inflm & ascities))
mets via Lymph and blood
papillations are the primary tumors

Question 8

papillations are

Answer 8

the primary tumors in ovarian cancer

Question 9

what are the manifestations of ovarian cancer?

Answer 9

• early: non-specific GI disturbances
• pain
• urinary & bowel obstruction
• abdominal distention
• ascities & dyspnea
• pelvic mass usually 1st finding (but that is usually late into cancer)

Question 10

what is usually the 1st finding with ovarian cancer?

Answer 10

-pelvic mass

Question 11

diagnosing ovarian cancer?

Answer 11

-Ultrasound & exploratory surgery (laparotomy-surgical incision into abdominal cavity)

Question 12

treatment of ovarian cancer

Answer 12

• aggressive
• radical surgery (excise lots of reproductive tract, -uterus, tubes, ovaries & omentum)
• then chemo (for intermediate & advanced disease)
• some recover fully

Question 13

what is the omentum?

Answer 13

membrane that covers and supports intestines and organs in lower abdominal region