Ovaries Flashcards
What do the ovaries produce?
The ovaries produce eggs (ova) for reproduction.
How do eggs travel from the ovaries?
The eggs travel from the ovaries through the fallopian tubes into the uterus.
What happens to the fertilized egg?
The fertilized egg settles in the uterus and develops into a fetus.
What hormones are produced by the ovaries?
The ovaries are the main source of the female hormones: estrogen and progesterone.
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer involves the presence of tumors in the ovaries.
What are the components related to ovarian anatomy?
Ovarian ligament, fallopian tube, fimbriae, ovary, cervix, and body.
What is a cancerous ovary?
A cancerous ovary is one that has developed tumors.
What can cause tissue damage in the ovaries?
Cancer can lead to tissue damage in the ovaries.
What is the rank of ovarian cancer in terms of commonality in the US?
Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the US.
What is the leading cause of death among gynecologic cancers?
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers.
Which demographic is more commonly affected by ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is more common among older women, with roughly half of cases in women 63 years old or older.
What stage do most patients present with when diagnosed with ovarian cancer?
Most patients present with advanced disease due to nonspecific symptoms.
Which ethnic group has a higher frequency of ovarian cancer?
Caucasian women have ovarian cancer more frequently.
What are some known risk factors for ovarian cancer?
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.
What are the components of an ovarian tumor?
An ovarian tumor consists of epithelium and stroma.
What are the main types of tumors in ovarian cancer?
There are three main types of tumors in ovarian cancer: epithelial tumors, germ cell tumors, and stromal tumors.
What percentage of ovarian tumors are epithelial tumors?
Epithelial tumors account for 80-95% of ovarian tumors.
What do epithelial tumors originate from?
Epithelial tumors start from the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary.
What percentage of ovarian tumors are germ cell tumors?
Germ cell tumors account for 10% of ovarian tumors.
What is the most common type of germ cell tumor?
The most common type of germ cell tumor is dysgerminoma.
What percentage of ovarian tumors are stromal tumors?
Stromal tumors account for 5% of ovarian tumors.
What do stromal tumors originate from?
Stromal tumors start from connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together and produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
What are the symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer?
Asymptomatic until advanced stage, anorexia, fatigue, pelvic or abdominal pain, constipation alternating with diarrhea, nausea, ascites.
What imaging techniques are used for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer?
Laparoscopy, CT, and Ultrasound.
What lab study is commonly elevated in ovarian cancer?
Elevated CA125.
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.
Is there a recommended screening for ovarian cancer in the general population?
No recommended screening for the general population.
What is transperitoneal spread in ovarian cancer?
Transperitoneal spread refers to peritoneal seeding, where cancer spreads within the peritoneal cavity.
How does ovarian cancer commonly spread to the diaphragm?
Ovarian cancer commonly spreads to the diaphragm from metastatic seeding.
What is direct extension in the context of ovarian cancer spread?
Direct extension involves advanced disease spreading through adjacent organs, peritoneal fluid, or lymph nodes.
Which lymph nodes are frequently involved in lymphatic spread of ovarian cancer?
Pelvic or paraaortic lymph nodes are frequently involved in lymphatic spread.
Is hematogenous spread common in ovarian cancer?
Hematogenous spread is rare but can occur in the liver, lungs, diaphragm, bladder, and colon.
What is the primary treatment for ovarian cancer?
Surgery
What are the types of hysterectomy performed in ovarian cancer treatment?
Partial hysterectomy and total hysterectomy
What is a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO)?
A surgical procedure involving the removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes.
What is the purpose of surgical evaluation in ovarian cancer?
For staging the cancer.
When is chemotherapy administered in ovarian cancer treatment?
After surgery.
Is radiation therapy commonly used in ovarian cancer treatment?
No, it is not common and has not been proven to improve survival outcomes or recurrence rates.
What are the techniques used in radiation therapy for ovarian cancer?
Open Field Technique and Moving Strip Technique.
What are the two main treatments of choice (TOC) for ovarian cancer?
Surgery and chemotherapy.
