Ovaries

Question 1

What do the ovaries produce?

Answer 1

The ovaries produce eggs (ova) for reproduction.

Question 2

How do eggs travel from the ovaries?

Answer 2

The eggs travel from the ovaries through the fallopian tubes into the uterus.

Question 3

What happens to the fertilized egg?

Answer 3

The fertilized egg settles in the uterus and develops into a fetus.

Question 4

What hormones are produced by the ovaries?

Answer 4

The ovaries are the main source of the female hormones: estrogen and progesterone.

Question 5

What is ovarian cancer?

Answer 5

Ovarian cancer involves the presence of tumors in the ovaries.

Question 6

What are the components related to ovarian anatomy?

Answer 6

Ovarian ligament, fallopian tube, fimbriae, ovary, cervix, and body.

Question 7

What is a cancerous ovary?

Answer 7

A cancerous ovary is one that has developed tumors.

Question 8

What can cause tissue damage in the ovaries?

Answer 8

Cancer can lead to tissue damage in the ovaries.

Question 9

What is the rank of ovarian cancer in terms of commonality in the US?

Answer 9

Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the US.

Question 10

What is the leading cause of death among gynecologic cancers?

Answer 10

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers.

Question 11

Which demographic is more commonly affected by ovarian cancer?

Answer 11

Ovarian cancer is more common among older women, with roughly half of cases in women 63 years old or older.

Question 12

What stage do most patients present with when diagnosed with ovarian cancer?

Answer 12

Most patients present with advanced disease due to nonspecific symptoms.

Question 13

Which ethnic group has a higher frequency of ovarian cancer?

Answer 13

Caucasian women have ovarian cancer more frequently.

Question 14

What are some known risk factors for ovarian cancer?

Answer 14

Risk factors include nulliparity, early menarche, smoking, immunosuppression, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, first childbirth after age 35, late menopause, and Jewish descent.

Question 15

What are the components of an ovarian tumor?

Answer 15

An ovarian tumor consists of epithelium and stroma.

Question 16

What are the main types of tumors in ovarian cancer?

Answer 16

There are three main types of tumors in ovarian cancer: epithelial tumors, germ cell tumors, and stromal tumors.

Question 17

What percentage of ovarian tumors are epithelial tumors?

Answer 17

Epithelial tumors account for 80-95% of ovarian tumors.

Question 18

What do epithelial tumors originate from?

Answer 18

Epithelial tumors start from the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary.

Question 19

What percentage of ovarian tumors are germ cell tumors?

Answer 19

Germ cell tumors account for 10% of ovarian tumors.

Question 20

What is the most common type of germ cell tumor?

Answer 20

The most common type of germ cell tumor is dysgerminoma.

Question 21

What percentage of ovarian tumors are stromal tumors?

Answer 21

Stromal tumors account for 5% of ovarian tumors.

Question 22

What do stromal tumors originate from?

Answer 22

Stromal tumors start from connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together and produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Question 23

What are the symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer?

Answer 23

Asymptomatic until advanced stage, anorexia, fatigue, pelvic or abdominal pain, constipation alternating with diarrhea, nausea, ascites.

Question 24

What imaging techniques are used for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer?

Answer 24

Laparoscopy, CT, and Ultrasound.

Question 25

What lab study is commonly elevated in ovarian cancer?

Answer 25

Elevated CA125. ## Footnote Studies show that CA-125 is elevated in 75-90% of patients with advanced disease but in only 50% of patients with early-stage disease.

Question 26

Is there a recommended screening for ovarian cancer in the general population?

Answer 26

No recommended screening for the general population.

Question 27

What is transperitoneal spread in ovarian cancer?

Answer 27

Transperitoneal spread refers to peritoneal seeding, where cancer spreads within the peritoneal cavity.

Question 28

How does ovarian cancer commonly spread to the diaphragm?

Answer 28

Ovarian cancer commonly spreads to the diaphragm from metastatic seeding.

Question 29

What is direct extension in the context of ovarian cancer spread?

Answer 29

Direct extension involves advanced disease spreading through adjacent organs, peritoneal fluid, or lymph nodes.

Question 30

Which lymph nodes are frequently involved in lymphatic spread of ovarian cancer?

Answer 30

Pelvic or paraaortic lymph nodes are frequently involved in lymphatic spread.

Question 31

Is hematogenous spread common in ovarian cancer?

Answer 31

Hematogenous spread is rare but can occur in the liver, lungs, diaphragm, bladder, and colon.

Question 32

What is the primary treatment for ovarian cancer?

Answer 32

Surgery

Question 33

What are the types of hysterectomy performed in ovarian cancer treatment?

Answer 33

Partial hysterectomy and total hysterectomy

Question 34

What is a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO)?

Answer 34

A surgical procedure involving the removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Question 35

What is the purpose of surgical evaluation in ovarian cancer?

Answer 35

For staging the cancer.

Question 36

When is chemotherapy administered in ovarian cancer treatment?

Answer 36

After surgery.

Question 37

Is radiation therapy commonly used in ovarian cancer treatment?

Answer 37

No, it is not common and has not been proven to improve survival outcomes or recurrence rates.

Question 38

What are the techniques used in radiation therapy for ovarian cancer?

Answer 38

Open Field Technique and Moving Strip Technique.

Question 39

What are the two main treatments of choice (TOC) for ovarian cancer?

Answer 39

Surgery and chemotherapy.