Guest Lecturer Ovarian Cancer

Question 1

Which is more lethal: breast cancer or ovarian cancer?

Answer 1

Ovarian cancer

Question 2

Why does ovarian cancer have such low survival rates?

Answer 2

Ovarian cancers are usually diagnoses late, because the only way of finding out you have ovarian cancer is through signs and symptoms, no well-developed detection test (like pap smear)

Question 3

What are the two methods of testing for ovarian cancer?

Answer 3

1. CA125 blood test

2. Transvaginal ultrasound

Question 4

Why is CA125 blood test not a definitive test?

Answer 4

It’s only useful if you know the individual’s baseline, so that the test result can be compared to baseline. Unless the test result is excessively high.
Further CA125 also is a marker for inflammation, so even if test results come back high, may not necessarily be due to ovarian cancer

Question 5

Is relapse common, if so when does relapse typically occur?

Answer 5

Yes extremely common

Typically 18months - 2 years

Question 6

If you relapse, your ovarian cancer is …?

Answer 6

Incurable

Question 7

How was Kirsten diagnosed?

Answer 7

She felt general deterioration in life + menstrual irregularities so she went to see a doctor.
Found lymph nodes in groin.
Had a transvaginal ultrasound - no concerns.
Performed biopsy on inguinal lymph nodes - found tumourous

Question 8

What was Kirsten’s treatment schedule?

Answer 8

Gynecology-oncologist performed debulking surgery, took out all ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and any structures with signs of tumour.
Standard 6 sessions of chemotherapy

Question 9

Where to most ovarian cancers originate?

Answer 9

Fallopian tubes

Question 10

What are the risk factors of ovarian cancer?

Answer 10

Age - more likely in 50yo or older, and those that have undergone menopause have higher risk (possible association with ovulation)
Child-bearing history - had no children, unable to have children, or never used contraceptives have high higher risk
Lifestyle factors - smoking, overweight
Endometriosis

Question 11

What are the genes involved in breast and ovarian cancer?

Answer 11

Mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene on X chromosome

Question 12

What is prophylactic surgery?

Answer 12

Removal of reproductive organs that have potential to become tumerous.

Question 13

What is chylous ascites?

Answer 13

the accumulation of lipid-rich lymph in the peritoneal cavity due to disruption of the lymphatic system secondary to traumatic injury or obstruction

Question 14

What is the drug that Kirsten has been on since her relapse that is highly suspected to be suppressing further relapses?

Answer 14

Olaparito, a PARP inhibitor