...gynecologic malignancies, ovarian cancer continues to have the highest mortality and is the most difficult to diagnose. In the United States female population, ovarian cancer ranks fifth in absolute mortality among cancer related deaths (13,000/yr). In most reported cases, ovarian cancer, when first diagnosed is in stages III or IV in about 60 to 70% of patients which further complicates treatment of the disease (Barber, 3). Early detection in ovarian cancer is hampered by the lack of appropriate tumor markers and clinically, most patients fail to develop significant symptoms until they reach advanced stage disease. The characteristics of ovarian cancer have been studied in primary tumors and in established ovarian tumor cell lines which provide a reproducible source of tumor material. Among the major clinical problems of ovarian cancer, malignant progression, rapid emergence of drug resistance, and associated cross-resistance remain unresolved. Ovarian cancer has a high frequency of metastasis yet generally remains localized within the peritoneal cavity. Tumor development has been associated with aberrant, dysfunctional expression and/or mutation of various genes. This can include oncogene overexpression, amplification or mutation, aberrant tumor suppressor expression or mutation. Also, subversion of host antitumor immune responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of cancer (Sharp, 77). Ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma...
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...Ovarian Cancer Samantha Massoth BIO 342—Genetics April 15, 2013 Abstract Ovarian cancer is described as a malignant tumor located in the ovaries. Malignant tumors can invade only one or both ovaries. Malignant tumors can also shed cancerous cells from the original tumor and “seed” these shedding on the surface of tissues and organs near the ovaries. The final way for ovarian cancerous cells to move is through “spreading” (metastasis). This is done by the cancerous cells entering the lymphatic system and/or bloodstream to other organs in the body. Ovarian cancer has many risk factors such as non pregnancy, menopause, family history of cancer, personal history of cancer, and others. The studies in this paper were to discuss three major themes of ovarian cancer. The first theme is the screening process of people suspected to have ovarian cancer yet show no signs or symptoms of the disease. The capability of doctors to detect, diagnose, and treat ovarian cancer is researched in these studies. The second major theme is the general prevention of ovarian cancer mainly in women who are at high risk of the disease. The third major theme of ovarian cancer is the general treatment of ovarian cancer and the affects over the counter drugs have as treatment of the disease. Introduction: Cancer is a disease that affects the basic building block of tissues, the human cell. Cells will grow and divide to provide the body with new cells when needed...
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...INTRODUCTION Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries, each about the size of an almond, produce eggs as well as the hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen. At this late stage, ovarian cancer is difficult to treat and is often fatal. Ovarian cancer treatments are available. Researchers are studying ways to improve ovarian cancer treatment and looking into ways to detect ovarian cancer at an earlier stage. SYMPTOMS Symptoms of ovarian cancer are not specific to the disease, and they often mimic those of many other more-common conditions, including digestive and bladder problems. When ovarian cancer symptoms are present, they tend to be persistent and worsen with time. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include: • Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating • Pelvic discomfort or pain • Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea • Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation • Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate • Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full • Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist • A persistent lack of energy • Low back pain CAUSES It is not clear what causes ovarian cancer. In general, cancer begins when healthy cells acquire a genetic mutation that turns normal cells into abnormal cells. Healthy...
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...Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer HS310: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer among women, and ranks first among the different types of gynecological cancer mortality in Canada (Canadian Cancer Statistics, 2004). Ovarian cancer mostly affects elderly and middle aged women, with the highest incidence rates reported in North America and Northern Europe, and the lowest in Japan and in developing countries (Greenlee et al., 2000). Over the past 40 years, the rate of ovarian cancer mortality has increased among women 65 years of age and older. The incidence of ovarian cancer increases with age, from 1.5/100,000 annually among women 20 -30 years of age to 49/100,000 in women 60- 69 year of age (Mant and Vessey, 1995). In Canada, 2,500 new cases are reported annually, and 1,550 women die from this disease each year. The lack of screening tests for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is an important determinant of the mortality rate from this disease. Because of the absence or subtlety of early symptoms, more than 70 % of patients are diagnosed with advanced stages of ovarian cancer (Goff et al., 2000) The increase in the incidence of ovarian cancer near the age of menopause can be related to the diminution of oocytes or germ cells, the reduction in circulating estrogen levels, or a significant increase in the pituitary gland’s production of the...
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...Ovarian cancer has become the deadliest cancer of the reproductive system. Why might this be? It is because it is not caught until the cancer has metastasized. The age prevalence of developing ovarian cancer is becoming younger with more woman waiting to have their first child in their thirties. Infertility has been associated with increased risk of developing ovarian cancer; whether infertility is a physical issue or a choice to wait to have kids, the risk is present with the fewer pregnancies total. Ovarian Cancer has been linked to BRCA gene that is found in breast cancer; therefore women with the BRCA gene are in danger of getting both. Cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, are causing women to be infertile. Women then must be aware about...
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...Ovarian Cancer Michelle Blevins Sullivan University HIM110X Pathophysiology with Pharmacology I March 3, 2014 Abstract Ovarian cancer is a growth of abnormal malignant cells that begins in the ovaries (women’s reproductive glands that produce ova). Cancer that spreads to the ovaries but originates at another site is not considered ovarian cancer. Ovarian tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Although abnormal, cells of benign tumors do not metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Malignant cancer cells in the ovaries can metastasize in two ways: directly to other organs in the pelvis and abdomen (the more common way), through the bloodstream or lymph nodes to other parts of the body. While the causes of ovarian cancer are unknown, some theories exist: Genetic errors may occur because of damage from the normal monthly release of an egg. Increased hormone levels before and during ovulation may stimulate the growth of abnormal cells. Keywords: ovarian cancer, malignant, cells, metastasize Ovarian Cancer Ovarian Cancer is the most common cause of cancer death from gynecologic tumors in the United States. Malignant ovarian lesions include primary lesions arising from normal structures within the ovary and secondary lesions from cancers arising elsewhere in the body. Primary lesions include epithelial ovarian carcinoma, germ-cell tumors, sex-cord stromal tumors, and other more rare types. Metastases to the ovaries are relatively...
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...Ovarian Cancer Ovarian cancer is one of the most under-detected types of cancers in existence because many of the symptoms are not noticeable until the later stages of the disease. These symptoms typically follow a pattern that helps determine whether or not a woman has ovarian cancer. The symptoms are “frequent bloating, pain in your belly or pelvis, trouble eating, or feeling full quickly, urinary problems, such as an urgent need to urinate or urinating more often than usual, fatigue, indigestion, pain with intercourse, constipation, and menstrual cycle changes.” For women who have ovarian cancer, the symptoms follow three common attributes: “they start suddenly, they feel different than your normal digestive or menstrual problems, and they happen almost every day and don’t go away.” However, another problem with the symptoms of ovarian cancer is that there are some women that just naturally have them, and that makes it very difficult to determine whether or not they have cancer (http://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/guide/ovarian-cancer-symptoms - Symptoms). The risk factors that are associated with ovarian cancer are not absolute. However, like in any type of disease or infection, the more risk factors that a person has, the more likely they are to become disease-ridden. The risk factors of ovarian cancer can be very complex, but simplify as a person gets older. One factor is gene mutations within families. Most of the mutations come from families that have a prominent number...
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...Terminology OVARIAN CANCER Ovarian Cancer is a disease that cancerous cell are found in ovary tissues. ovary is a part of organ , that is responsible for reproduction, can be found in the woman’s lower abdomen area. This organ is reproductive organ of hormones, estrogen and progesterone, and also responsible for making eggs that is sent through fallopian tubes into to uterus monthly. When a woman undergoes menopause, ovaries are not functioning well and this process produce less hormones than usual. This cancer’s cause is still unknown, but mostly this cancer can be seen at women who are older than 50’s and also undergoing menopause.(1) Most common type of ovarian cancer, generally, is epithelial ovarian cancer which is originated in the tissue so called “epithelium” which covers the ovary surface. Mucinous, endometroid and clear cell are other type of this cancer. (1) There is no early detection method for this type of cancer, the symptoms of the disease are vague and not always gynecologic. These symptoms may include;(2) * Heavy feeling in pelvis * Pain in the lower abdomen * Bleeding from vagina * Weight gain or loss * Abnormal periods * Gas, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite Generally, the aim of treatment of ovarian cancer is to remove surgically cancer as much as possible and following additional therapy such as chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells in the body. Radiation therapy can be used to kill any cancer cells with high...
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...February 18, 2011 Literature Review The article, Ovarian Cancer Listen for the Disease, was published in the November issue of the nursing journal Nursing2010. This specific article was written by Karen Blewitt, BSN, RN, AOCN. Ms. Blewitt is currently still in the nursing field and writes for the journal in her spare time. I selected this article about cancer due to my interest in the field of oncology. Just this past week, I went to the oncology office and learned a significant amount about several types of cancers and various forms of treatment. Cancer comes in all different types and forms, which is why it is so hard to fully cure. This article presents a case in which a woman in her early 50’s visits her doctor complaining of abdominal pain, urinary frequency, pressure in her lower abdomen, and an increase in her waistline despite efforts to lose weight. She is then stunned to find out that she has a mass in her pelvis which is later confirmed as Ovarian Cancer. This articled refers to Ovarian cancer as the “silent cancer” or the “disease that whispers” because early signs and symptoms are often subtle and can be confused with another diagnosis. The article then goes on to discuss the possible treatments such as surgical removal, chemotherapy, and radiation which is similar to all cancers. Ovarian cancer is not normally found early and normally has a poor prognosis. Many believe that a routine Pap Smear would detect the disease, however this is not true. Only an in-depth...
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...Management 1 Running head: OVARIAN CANCER Nursing Management of a Patient with Ovarian Cancer Jane A. Student Pasadena City College Nursing Management 2 Nursing Management of Patient with Ovarian Cancer H.S., a 57 year old female with a medical history of hypertension and chronic kidney disease, was diagnosed with a Stage IIIB clear cell carcinoma of the ovary and had surgery in April of 2007. When the patient began to have physical discomfort, an exploratory lapartomy was performed. A pelvic mass had developed post peritoneal chemotherapy. The patient had surgery to remove the intraperitoneal port, pelvic mass fluid drainage and pelvic biopsy. Often patients with cancer develop cachexia and should be assessed for adequate nutritional intake. Martin (2006) states that one of the greatest challenges for a woman with ovarian cancer is malnutrition: she may have little appetite as a result of treatment of advancing disease, causing her to lose weight. Pathophysiology The symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and the causes may be related to several factors. As Bohnenkamp (2007) has explained, one or more risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer, but their presence does not guarantee the cancer will occur. Martin (2006) claimed that the most significant risk is a positive family history of the disease; it is present in about 10% of women with the disease. Although it is not known if H.S. had a history of ovarian cancer in her family, Ignatavicius...
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...there is an existing knowledge gap in the education, early detection and diagnosis of ovarian cancer in women (Carter, DiFeo, Bogie, Zhang, & Sun, 2014). The challenge of diagnosing ovarian cancer arises from the ambiguous way symptoms present, and the knowledge deficit existing among women and health care providers (Carter, DiFeo, Bogie, Zhang, & Sun, 2014). This knowledge gap has contributed significantly to the late diagnosis of ovarian cancer (Carter, DiFeo, Bogie, Zhang, & Sun, 2014). Ovarian cancer continues to be the most deadly cause of gynecological malignancy of women in the United States (Carter, DiFeo, Bogie,...
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...Being the fifth leading cause of all cancer related deaths among women in the United States, ovarian cancer is a silent killer for which all women are at risk (National Cancer Institute, 2006). Ovarian cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells are located in the ovaries, the glands, of the female reproductive system. What makes this a deadly disease is because it is difficult to detect. In 2012, 22,500 women were diagnosed nationwide and an estimated 15,500 deaths were recorded (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 2012). Women today are unaware of the severity of this cancer in addition; they do not know the proper ways to keep themselves at minimum risk. Most cases of ovarian cancer are sporadic, meaning they occur in women who may not have a family history of developing this cancer; even though statistics show that 1 in 10 cases are hereditary (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 2012). Women of all ages should be educated on this disease and know the facts. Many women do not know that they are at risk for ovarian cancer. It is important to know the information because there are very subtle symptoms on this disease. Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer should know their options when receiving treatment to optimize their success of removing the cancer. It is important for all women to know the treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer. There are several treatments and ways to prevent ovarian cancer. Women should always discuss treatment options with their doctors...
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...Cancer is an abnormal cell that grows and spreads without control (1). There are more than 100 types of cancer such as bladder, brain, thyroid, and breast cancer (1). Cancer can be cured or managed when it is diagnosed early, but most of the cases are diagnosed after the tumor has spread and developed which is difficult to deal with. Cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery depending on the stage and type of cancer (1). Most of the cases are treated with combination of chemotherapy and surgery. The most common cancer that affects women is .The second most common cancer that affects women is ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the 12th most common cause of cancer death, with around 42 thousands deaths in 2012 in Europe....
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...Ovarian Cancer affects 64% of people. 7.4 of 100,000 people will die from this disease. Ovarian Cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. With this type of cancer, its very important that you know your risk. Ovarian Cancer can affect your entire plans for your future.Ovarian Cancer is a cancer that affects the ovaries. With that being said, you can see how important it is to know if you carry the gene. If you get this type of cancer you could very easily lose the chance to have children. For a woman with big dreams involving family, that’s heartbreaking. This type of cancer typically has no symptoms in the early stages. In the later stages though symptoms will become more and more present. Those symptoms include...
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...Before talking about public awareness campaign on ovarian cancer and how badly it is needed, let’s clarify what ovarian cancer is. As American Cancer Society explains “ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries that are reproductive glands found only in females (women). The ovaries produce eggs for reproduction. They are also the main source of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. One ovary is on each side of the uterus in the pelvis” ("What Is Ovarian Cancer?"). One should understand that there are several types of cancer that develop from cells of the ovary and are considered to be one disease process. According to the information, provided at medicinenet.com, usually, “tumors arise from the epithelium or lining cells of the ovary. These include epithelial ovarian (from the cells on the surface of the ovary), fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal (the lining inside the abdomen that coats many abdominal structures) cancer” ("Ovarian Cancer: Facts on Symptoms and Treatment"). Obviously, there are some risk factors to pay attention to and the list of symptoms that women can identify themselves. Speaking about the risk factors that influence on the development of ovarian cancer, women should take into consideration the following key factors: age and family history. The older a women get the higher the risk. Thus, women who are over the age of 50 are more susceptible to ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer more often occurs in women who have already gone through the menopause...
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