Ovarian Cancer In The Reproductive System
Ovarian Cancer in the Reproductive System
Sharon Williams
Rasmussen College
Author Note
This research paper is being submitted on June 21st, 2013, for Joanna Vance’s G150/PHA1500 - Structure and Function of the Human Body course.
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancer affecting women today. It has been responsible for more deaths of women of the reproductive system. In the upcoming paragraphs we will identify what Ovarian Cancer is, what are the symptoms, how we can diagnose it, how we can treat it and where to look for it in our family history. At the end we will all have a better understanding of this disease affecting women today.
There are a few different types of ovarian cancers such as Epithelial, Germ cell and sex cord stromal cancers. These cancers can occurs at any age and may produce extra hormones like oestrogen. Ovarian Cancer is caused by cells dividing and multiplying in an unordered way. Nobody completely understands why cancer of the ovary occurs. There isn 't a known cause for ovarian cancer but family history plays a big part in it. Some factors on the chances of getting it through family history would be age, child bearing history, endometriosis and lifestyle and hormonal factors. …show more content…
There are several risk as we have stated earlier family history which includes of breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
Taking estrogen replacement therapy for more than five years.
Being 55 and older and never having been pregnant. A woman that has children early has a lower risk of ovarian cancer; having multiple children can also lower the risk of ovarian
cancer.
Ovarian cancer will normally occur in women over the age of 50, but it can be diagnosed in younger women. Since the cause is virtually unknown, this cancer is difficult to detect early.
Ovarian cancer starts in healthy cells that make up tissues; tissues are the building blocks of all organs in the body. Cells will normally divide to form new cells as necessary. When cells grow old and die, new, healthy cells grow to replace them. But in some cases, this process goes awry. New cells will begin to form unnecessarily, and old cells will not die at the right time. This excess cell growth could cause a tumor, which may be benign or malignant. Malignant tumors are cancerous and could be life-threatening. In some cases, malignant tumors can be removed, yet there is a chance that they could grow back. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body and lead to serious internal damage.
Ovarian cancer can affect you in three different stages which are ATTACK, EXPAND and SPREAD.
ATTACK:
A malignant tumor can quickly grow and attack healthy organs near the ovaries, like the uterus and fallopian tubes.
EXPAND:
Cancer cells can break off from the main ovarian tumor. These cells are likely to travel to the abdomen and create new tumors on nearby tissues and organs.
SPREAD:
Once cancer cells have broken off from the main tumor, they can easily spread throughout the lymphatic system to the pelvis, abdomen, and chest. Cancer cells can also penetrate the bloodstream and affect the liver and lungs.
Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be weight loss or gain, pain in the abdomen, tiredness and loss of appetite, swollen abdomen, and pain during sex and changes in the menstrual cycle. The treatment of ovarian cancer is based on the stage of the disease which is a reflection of the extent or spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. There are 4 stages in this disease which are from minor to major. It can stem from minor surgery with biopsies or major surgery in which organs has to be removed. There isn’t really any method of reducing the risks of ovarian cancer. But some studies have shown that using oral contraceptives has reduced some risks of developing this disease.
In conclusion, Ovarian cancer accounts for 5% of all cancers among women and causes more deaths than any other female genital tract cancer, women in the US over 40 years of age will develop ovarian cancer, but only a few will be cured.
References/Sources - http://www.babymed.com/cancer/introduction-ovarian-cancer-causes-and-risk-factors-0 http://www.cancervic.org.au/about-cancer/cancer_types/ovarian_cancer https://www.clinicalkey.com/topics/radiology/ovarian-cancer. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159675.php http://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/guide/ovarian-cancer-prevention html
Sharon Williams
Rasmussen College
Author Note
This research paper is being submitted on June 21st, 2013, for Joanna Vance’s G150/PHA1500 - Structure and Function of the Human Body course.
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancer affecting women today. It has been responsible for more deaths of women of the reproductive system. In the upcoming paragraphs we will identify what Ovarian Cancer is, what are the symptoms, how we can diagnose it, how we can treat it and where to look for it in our family history. At the end we will all have a better understanding of this disease affecting women today.
There are a few different types of ovarian cancers such as Epithelial, Germ cell and sex cord stromal cancers. These cancers can occurs at any age and may produce extra hormones like oestrogen. Ovarian Cancer is caused by cells dividing and multiplying in an unordered way. Nobody completely understands why cancer of the ovary occurs. There isn 't a known cause for ovarian cancer but family history plays a big part in it. Some factors on the chances of getting it through family history would be age, child bearing history, endometriosis and lifestyle and hormonal factors. …show more content…
There are several risk as we have stated earlier family history which includes of breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
Taking estrogen replacement therapy for more than five years.
Being 55 and older and never having been pregnant. A woman that has children early has a lower risk of ovarian cancer; having multiple children can also lower the risk of ovarian
cancer.
Ovarian cancer will normally occur in women over the age of 50, but it can be diagnosed in younger women. Since the cause is virtually unknown, this cancer is difficult to detect early.
Ovarian cancer starts in healthy cells that make up tissues; tissues are the building blocks of all organs in the body. Cells will normally divide to form new cells as necessary. When cells grow old and die, new, healthy cells grow to replace them. But in some cases, this process goes awry. New cells will begin to form unnecessarily, and old cells will not die at the right time. This excess cell growth could cause a tumor, which may be benign or malignant. Malignant tumors are cancerous and could be life-threatening. In some cases, malignant tumors can be removed, yet there is a chance that they could grow back. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body and lead to serious internal damage.
Ovarian cancer can affect you in three different stages which are ATTACK, EXPAND and SPREAD.
ATTACK:
A malignant tumor can quickly grow and attack healthy organs near the ovaries, like the uterus and fallopian tubes.
EXPAND:
Cancer cells can break off from the main ovarian tumor. These cells are likely to travel to the abdomen and create new tumors on nearby tissues and organs.
SPREAD:
Once cancer cells have broken off from the main tumor, they can easily spread throughout the lymphatic system to the pelvis, abdomen, and chest. Cancer cells can also penetrate the bloodstream and affect the liver and lungs.
Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be weight loss or gain, pain in the abdomen, tiredness and loss of appetite, swollen abdomen, and pain during sex and changes in the menstrual cycle. The treatment of ovarian cancer is based on the stage of the disease which is a reflection of the extent or spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. There are 4 stages in this disease which are from minor to major. It can stem from minor surgery with biopsies or major surgery in which organs has to be removed. There isn’t really any method of reducing the risks of ovarian cancer. But some studies have shown that using oral contraceptives has reduced some risks of developing this disease.
In conclusion, Ovarian cancer accounts for 5% of all cancers among women and causes more deaths than any other female genital tract cancer, women in the US over 40 years of age will develop ovarian cancer, but only a few will be cured.
References/Sources - http://www.babymed.com/cancer/introduction-ovarian-cancer-causes-and-risk-factors-0 http://www.cancervic.org.au/about-cancer/cancer_types/ovarian_cancer https://www.clinicalkey.com/topics/radiology/ovarian-cancer. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159675.php http://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/guide/ovarian-cancer-prevention html