Ovarian cancer is cancer that originates in the ovaries. Ovarian cancer is the second most common form of female reproductive system cancer, after uterine cancer. No one knows the exact cause of ovarian cancer. However, most cases are linked to a defect of one or more genes. Cancer occurs when cells grow out of control. This result in masses of cells called tumors, which can damage surrounding tissue. Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries, which are the organs that produce a woman’s eggs for reproduction. It can also start in the ovaries and spread to other organs.
Ovarian cancer is more common in industrialized nations. It affects about one out of every fifty-five women. Although some cases occur in young women, the majority of cases occur in women between the ages of forty and seventy nine. It occurs more frequently as women age. Even if it does not affect you directly, it might affect someone in your family.
Etiology of ovarian cancer
Reproductive history – reproductive history is an important determinant of ovarian cancer risk. Nulliparous women have a higher risk than parous women and the risk is inversely correlated with parity.
Hormonal replacement therapy – in postmenopausal women the effect of estrogen replacement therapy has been investigated because of a reported increased risk in women who received diethylstilbestrol (a non steroidal estrogen) early in life. The balance of evidence, however, suggests that HRT has no effect on ovarian cancer risk.
Repeated ovulation – it has been suggested that more often a women ovulates, the greater the risk of ovulation carcinoma.
Genetic factors – it is now accepted that a genetic predisposition exists in at least a proportion of ovarian cancer cases. Although overall there is a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer in those with a family history of ovarian cancer.
Menstrual factors – Parazzini et al’ studied the influence of various menstrual factors on the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. The reported that the risk increased with later age of menopause and with early menarche.
Dietary factors – the increased dietary fat intake noted in industrialized societies is associated with an increased incidence of ovarian cancer, compared to that seen in population with lower per capita fat consumption.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and often missed
Much debate has ensued recently as to the symptoms of ovarian cancer, experts in the field of cancer have often said that early ovarian cancer is asymptomatic or suitable, thus leading to the phrases” the disease that whispers “or the silent cancer. Such symptoms are often gastrointestinal and may include
- Abdominal or pelvic pain,
- Pressure or discomfort and/or a feeling of fullness even after a light meal
- Loss of appetite
- Lower backache or pain in the leg
- Unexplained change in bowels habit such as constipation or diarrhea and/or a sense that bowel has not completely emptied
- Vaginal bleeding or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Mild cycle spotting or post menopausal bleeding
- Ongoing unusual fatigue
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Shortness of breath
- Weight gain or loss with no known reason
- Pain during intercourse
While all agree that the location of the ovaries deep with in the abdominal cavity causes the symptoms of the ovary deep within the abdominal cavity causes ovarian cancer symptoms to often times be vague and difficult to detect, many women who were later diagnosed felt that their doctors ignored their concerns when first presented. Many of these symptoms could and should trigger a visit to a gynecologist, internist, or gastroenterologist.
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer
Pelvic ultrasound and laparoscopy are both used to investigate symptoms suggestive of ovarian cancer in the absence of symptoms suggestive of ovarian cancer in the absence of clinical signs of the disease. The majority of women with symptoms will not be found to have any serious disease. The majority of women with symptoms with symptoms will not be found to have any serious disease. Ultrasound imaging is useful, but will not detect all cases, particularly those of small volume disease. Making an early diagnosis can thus be difficult, and the patient may be referred for gastrointestinal endoscopy with the incorrect label of irritable bowel syndrome or diverticular disease. If ascitis is the only clinical feature, paracentesis to obtain a sample of ascetic fluid to look for malignant cells may be helpful. The finding of an elevated serum level of the tumor marker CA125 is suggestive but not diagnostic of ovarian cancer.
Most patients with suspicious pelvic mass will ultimately require laparotomy, both for diagnosis and staging of disease.
Homeopathic Treatment of ovarian cancer
Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat ovarian cancer but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several remedies are available for ovarian cancer symptoms treatment that can be selected on the basis of cause, condition, sensation, extension, location and modalities of the complaints. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person. There are following medicines which are helpful for the treatment of ovarian cancer symptoms:
Apis Mel, Belladonna, Lachesis, Arsenic Album, Platinum, Lilium TIg, Colocynth, Iodine, Oophorium, Palladium, Penchris, Bufo, Carboneum Sulph, merc sol and many other medicines.
- Jeri Freedman; Ovarian Cancer: Current and emerging trends in detection and treatment2009; 4.
- James O. drife, James drife, Brian Magowan; clinical obstetrics and gynecology2004; 257-259.
- Basu; A practical approach to gynecologic oncology; 154.
- Craig A. Almeida, Sheila A. Barry; Cancer Basic Science & Clinical Aspects 2009; 192
- Andrew McCarthy, Bill Hunter; obstetrics and Gynecology: A core text with self-assessment 2003; 240.