A Brief Overview of Ovarian Cancer

According to statistics, ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among women and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed this year, and approximately 15,000 women will die from ovarian cancer this year.



Ovarian cancer is often called the silent killer because its symptoms can be subtle, leading to a delayed diagnosis and poorer outcome. However, if ovarian cancer is detected early, approximately nine out of ten women will live for at least five years with the disease.



Ovarian cancer starts in the cells of the ovary or ovaries. The ovaries are two small, oval-shaped organs that lie deep in the pelvis on either side of the uterus (womb), close to the end of the Fallopian tubes. The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system.
 
Each month, in women of childbearing age, one of the ovaries releases an egg (ovum). This is called ovulation. The egg travels down the Fallopian tube to the uterus, where it may be fertilized by a sperm and develop into a fetus. If the egg is not fertilized, it is shed as part of your monthly period.
 
The ovaries also produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone help control reproduction and sexual development. As a woman ages and reaches menopause, the ovaries make less of these hormones and periods gradually stop.



If left undetected and untreated, ovarian cancer can spread from the ovaries to other organs in the pelvis, such as the Fallopian tubes, uterus, rectum, colon or bladder.



In the most advanced form, ovarian cancer can spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs.

A quick look at the survival rate of ovarian cancer

Today, women have a survival rate much better than those who were affected by this disease a few years ago of ovarian cancer. Technological advances in early diagnosis and treatment of the disease in women, as well as research and development, address proactively the disease have been many different approaches for the effective treatment of the disease and an increase in the survival of ovarian cancer.



Early detection is the key to successful treatment of this disease. Smear of a woman who receives regular Pap test and annual check-up is much more likely to avoid more aggressive treatments associated with later stages of the disease. The severity of the disease are called "stages". Each stage of the disease requires a different type of treatment and shows another level of progression of the disease. In addition, constructs full recovery, the exchange of statistics on the stage in which the disease is first diagnosed.



Women, periodic checks and Pap smear are usually phase of discovery of the disease. This is a very curable form and has a very high chance of surviving more than 5 years. More than 90% of the stage patients live at least 5 years after his diagnosis and prognosis for a longer life, devoid of cancer is very high.



Stage II patients have a lower life expectancy survive five years or more, around 75% or more depending on the spread of the disease and other bodies are identifiers should be. If the cells are restricted to certain areas of the ovaries, it increases the possibility to survive more than 5 years.



A phase III only 34% if perhaps there are other sectors involved. However, this figure beyond of the situation and the invasiveness of disease can vary. Stage IV may be 18% chance of surviving more than five years and is regarded as the most serious cancer. In phase IV, the cells are usually rooted in other parts of the body, which must be addressed at the same time.



More research and development of the diagnosis and treatment increases the survival rate of ovarian cancer. However, it is important to a woman in his care and taking the precautions necessary to prevent the disease. Through periodic and early diagnosis, women are more likely to survive and a healthy and productive life.