ovarian cancer

Definition of ovarian cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the
ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova,
or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian
epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface
of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg
cells).

Introduction
Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries -
each about the size of an almond - produce eggs (ova) as well as the
female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer is a
disease in which normal ovarian cells begin to grow in an
uncontrolled, abnormal manner and produce tumors in one or both
ovaries.
According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer ranks fifth
in cancer deaths among women. It's estimated that about 20,000 women
in the United States will develop ovarian cancer this year. About
15,000 deaths from ovarian cancer will occur in American women during
that same time frame.
Your chances of surviving ovarian cancer are better if the cancer is
found early. But because the disease is difficult to detect in its
early stage, only about 20 percent of ovarian cancers are found before
tumor growth has spread into adjacent tissues and organs beyond the
ovaries. Most of the time, the disease has already advanced before
it's diagnosed.
Symptomless ovarian cancer is most often detected during a woman's
regular gynecological examination. Your physician will palpitate your
ovaries during your pelvic and rectal exam for the presence of ovarian
cysts or fibroid tumors. If any abnormalities are noted, he will
follow up with further testing which may include an ultrasound and
chest X-ray. If further testing is required, a laparoscopy may be
performed.
New methods for early screening of ovarian cancer are being
investigated including ultrasound in conjunction with a blood test.
The blood test may detect an antigen called CA 125 which has been
detected in the blood of women with ovarian cancer.
Why is ovarian cancer a "silent" killer?
Ovarian cancer is often called the "silent" killer because many times
there are no symptoms until the disease has progressed to an

http://www.dontplayplay.com/cancer/ovarian-cancer/index.html

http://www.dontplayplay.com/cancer

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Eggs and blood cholesterol
    ... In heavy consumers there is ... :: also increased ovarian cancer mortality. ... Couple pf studies of eggs and increased ovarian cancer risk: ...
    (sci.med.nutrition)
  • ovarian cancer
    ... Definition of ovarian cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the ... or eggs, are formed). ... Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. ... But because the disease is difficult to detect in its ...
    (alt.support.stop-smoking)
  • ovarian cancer
    ... Definition of ovarian cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the ... or eggs, are formed). ... Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. ... But because the disease is difficult to detect in its ...
    (sci.med.diseases.cancer)
  • ovarian cancer
    ... Definition of ovarian cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the ... or eggs, are formed). ... Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. ... But because the disease is difficult to detect in its ...
    (sci.med.diseases.cancer)
  • ovarian cancer
    ... Definition of ovarian cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the ... or eggs, are formed). ... Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. ... But because the disease is difficult to detect in its ...
    (sci.bio.misc)