Ovarian cancer is a form of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The ovaries are a part of the female reproductive system responsible for the production of ova or eggs. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 22,530 women in the country will be diagnosed with this condition in 2019.

The exact cause for ovarian cancer is not yet clear, but some factors increase a person’s risk of developing this condition:

• Old age
• Family history
• Hormone therapy
• Early or late menopause

Diagnosis of ovarian cancer
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis of ovarian cancer to get timely treatment. Some diagnostic procedures used by doctors to detect ovarian cancer are:

• Blood tests
• MRI, sonography, or CT scan
• Laparoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Abdominal fluid aspiration (in case of abdominal swelling)
• Biopsy to remove a small part of the cancerous cyst or tumor

Treatments for ovarian cancer

Surgery
This treatment for ovarian cancer can be classified as local therapy. It involves the removal of the cancerous cyst from the affected area. If cancer has spread to other parts of the reproductive system, then the surgery might involve the removal of the affected organs. If the need arises, doctors may remove the lymph nodes from the pelvis and the aorta as well. The extent of the surgery depends on the stage of cancer.

Chemotherapy
After surgery, there are chances that the cancerous cells may still be present in the body. Chemotherapy is a common treatment for ovarian cancer that is used to kill these cells. It is a systematic treatment where medications are injected into the body, mostly through the stomach or abdomen. A thin tube called a catheter is used to inject the medicine in the abdomen. Chemotherapy usually runs in three or four cycles which are given in intervals of up to three weeks to give the body some recovery time.

Radiation therapy
It is not a widely used treatment in the case of ovarian cancer. It is normally used either when cancer returns or to control pain. In this therapy, high energy rays are used to destroy cancerous cells.

Targeted treatment
This treatment involves the use of new medicines that are designed to target cancerous cells. They do minimal harm to healthy tissues and cells. These medicines are either injected intravenously or taken orally.

Hormonal treatment
This therapy can be used along with other treatments for managing ovarian stromal tumors. It works by blocking estrogen from reaching the cancer cells to reduce the rate at which these cells are multiplying.

Clinical trials
Clinical trials are conducted to study the effectiveness of new procedures and treatments for different conditions, including ovarian cancer. It is one of the ways to get access to cutting-edge therapies. In case other treatments have failed, one can volunteer to take part in clinical trials to get access to new treatments. At the same time, before volunteering for any clinical trial, it is essential to consult a doctor to understand which clinical trials are suitable.

Complementary treatments like acupuncture, herbs, specially designed diets, and vitamins can be used along with the treatments mentioned above. While these treatments cannot cure ovarian cancer, they can alleviate the symptoms of this condition and provide relief from the side effects of the treatments. Be sure to consult a doctor before choosing a complementary treatment to avoid any complications.