Ovarian cancer Flashcards
ovarian cancer is the most _______ womens reproductive cancer
lethal
why is ovarian cancer the most lethal female reproductive cancer?
because difficult to diagnose (75% metastasis at detection)
etiology and risk factors of ovarian cancer?
- 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??
what are the three categories of tissue in the ovary?
- Epithelial
- germ cell
- stromal
90% of ovarian cancer originates in the _____ tissue
epithelial
what does autosomal dominant mean?
only have to inherit abnormal gene from one of the parents (offspring has 50% chance of getting)
patho of ovarian cancer?
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
papillations are
the primary tumors in ovarian cancer
what are the manifestations of ovarian cancer?
- 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)
what is usually the 1st finding with ovarian cancer?
-pelvic mass
diagnosing ovarian cancer?
-Ultrasound & exploratory surgery (laparotomy-surgical incision into abdominal cavity)
treatment of ovarian cancer
- aggressive
- radical surgery (excise lots of reproductive tract, -uterus, tubes, ovaries & omentum)
- then chemo (for intermediate & advanced disease)
- some recover fully
what is the omentum?
membrane that covers and supports intestines and organs in lower abdominal region