Ovarian Cancer Research Paper

Ovarian Cancer Essay Paper

The ovaries is where the female reproductive cells are located, the eggs. The ovaries and fallopian make up the parts of the female reproductive system. Around the uterus, there is a set of fallopian tubes and ovaries. The eggs travel to the uterus through the fallopian tubes. Ovarian cancer is a malignant cell cancer that occurs in the ovaries. The job of the ovaries is to produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone (Ovarian Cancer, 2014). Ovarian cancer is a title given to different cancers with in the ovaries. The three most well known types of ovarian cancer: Epithelial ovarian tumor, germ cell ovarian tumor and sex cord stromal ovarian tumor. Epithelial ovarian tumor is the most common type of ovarian

The most common tests done is a pelvic exam, a CA-125 blood test or a transvaginal ultrasound, TVU for short. CA-125 is a tumor marker that is found in high concentration with women who present ovarian cancer. Transvaginal ultrasound is used to examine the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes and bladder. The probe is inserted into the vaginal canal and uses high-energy sound waves. These waves create the sonogram ( PubMed, 2014). The sonogram will show if there are any unusual lumps in the ovaries or any of the female reproductive organs. If a lump is discovered, doctors will do a biopsy and if cancerous cells are found, treatment will begin for the patient; treatment will vary depending on how far along the cancer is (PubMed Health, 2014). Typically, ovarian cancer is diagnosed far along (stage III or stage IV), treatment is be surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortunately, a full abdominal hysterectomy is at times done. A hysterectomy is done because ovarian cancer cells are not easy to remove, and they do spread fast to the abdomen. After surgery, or if surgery is not performed depending on the case, chemotherapy will be the best option. Women who have ovarian cancer typically have six cycles of chemotherapy (WebMd,

Some of the risk factors for ovarian cancer is age, estrogen hormone replacement therapy, inherited gene mutation, and the age a women began her period or underwent menopause. Though ovarian cancer can occur at any age, women who are between the age of fifty to sixty have a higher percentage of obtaining ovarian cancer. Estrogen hormone replacement therapy is a treatment option used to help symptoms of menopause during or after. The gene known that increases the rate of ovarian cancer is the breast cancer gene one, or BRCA1, and breast cancer gene two, or BRCA2. These genes are associated with families with a history of breast cancer, hence the title given. However, this gene only causes a small percentage of ovarian cancer, but has also been associated with ovarian cancer (Mayo Clinic, 1998-2015). There is no real way to prevent ovarian cancer. The only way to maintain yourself healthy is to eat healthy and to stay physically active. The current research for ovarian cancer is limited. The research that has been done has been to better the treatment for those affected by ovarian