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Treatment of ovarian cancer chemotherapy

Ovarian cancer refers to malignant tumors. Today it ranks 7th among all other cancers in women. Most often disease occurs in a latent form, and this has a major impact on further prognosis and effectiveness of treatment.

Usually in cancer cancer cells affects the surface of the ovaries. Much less frequently a tumor grows from germ cells inside the organs.

In the high risk women get after 40 years, nulliparous or with a large number of pregnancies. Also fall under this category and women with abnormal hormonal background, late menopause and infertility.

Significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease can be using contraceptives if taken at least 5 years. This reduces the probability of occurrence of neoplasm in up to 50%.

The malignancy spreads throughout the body by hematogenous or in the discharge cells in the abdominal cavity (seeding).

Symptoms

simptomy raka yaichnikov In the early stages ovarian cancer takes place without any obvious symptoms. Often the woman takes him for adnexitis or other ailment. Then, with the development of tumor process there is pain in the lower abdomen, there is a General weakness of the body. The patient loses much of its weight. May experience vomiting, nausea, changes in taste. The abdomen gradually enlarged, and the tumor extends beyond the boundaries of the ovaries and moves into fatty tissue. The last stage is characterized by accumulation of large amounts of fluid in the abdomen (ascites).

When ovarian cancer metastasizes to the intestinal tract, there is intestinal obstruction, constipation, indigestion and tenesmus. When metastasis to the brain or bone common symptoms include disorders of the nervous system, thinning bones and fractures.

Types of ovarian cancer

There are three stages of ovarian cancer according to the areas in which it occurs.

1) Epithelial cancer. This type of cancer appears only in the surface layer of the ovary in the cells. It is one of the most common types of ovarian cancer and accounts for 90% of all other diseases.

2) Cancer with a lesion of germ cells. In such cases the tumor is in the egg. This type of cancer is much rarer, with only 5% of women. In General, these young women and girls.

3) Stromal cell. For this type of cancer is characterized by the location of the tumor in the depth of the ovaries. It is only 8% of all other types of ovarian cancer.

Diagnosis of ovarian cancer

diagnostika raka yaichnikov Onset of the disease occurs without the presence of overt symptoms, and therefore in the early stages of diagnosis is difficult.
Diagnosis is carried out based on the presence of symptoms of a given disease and patient's examination by instrumental techniques. Is cytological examination of fluid from the abdominal cavity for the presence of cancer cells.

With the help of ultrasound examined the tumor and the extent of its prevalence on the internal organs and systems. Ultrasound can detect even distant metastases. Sometimes it is assigned to chest x-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. It is necessary to clarify the severity of the process, the prevalence of the disease and further treatment.

Of laboratory methods for the analysis of blood for the presence of cancer cells. It gives additional information about the malignancy in the body.

The prognosis of ovarian cancer

The prognosis of ovarian cancer depends on the stage and extent of malignancy. To date, the prognosis of ovarian cancer is not quitefavourable, in connection with the inability of early diagnosis and severity of the tumor. For this type of cancer is characterized by rapid and aggressive tumor growth.

Is there a cure for ovarian cancer? The answer to this question depends on several factors:

1) the treatment plan;

2) high-quality diagnostics;

3) of the present used in the treatment of medical equipment and drugs;

4) positive attitude of the patient.

After radical surgery in combination with a chemotherapy patient survival is 70% (at stage 1). The 2nd stage survival rate is 46%. At stage 3 the survival rate is under 20%. At stage 4, the survival rate is up to 5%. The further the forecast is also affected by the presence of metastasis in different tissues and organs and the place of their localization.

What is the danger of a relapse of ovarian cancer?

Relapsed ovarian cancer is one of the most unpleasant and severe consequences after the disease. The possibility of relapse depends on lesions of the internal organs and systems, as well as the type of cancer.

Usually, the second time the cancer is more aggressive and is characterized by a rate of cancer development. A relapse of the disease occurs as a reaction of the tumor to attempt its destruction. Factors contributing to this a lot.

It is therefore very important to be safe and to take all necessary measures to prevent recurrence. In the treatment of ovarian cancer most often recommended:

1) radical surgery in order to minimize the risk of recurrence, the patient was offered a radical surgical operation. It is recommended to remove the ovaries, even in the earliest stages of the disease.

2) restoration of a hormonal background it is very important to maintain proper hormonal balance and avoid crashing, as it is fraught with serious consequences.

3) to prevent metastasis, it is recommended to remove not just the ovaries, but also all the surrounding organs. For example, appendages.

4) monitor the health and not to lift heavy weights, to avoid blows and injuries in the abdomen.

Treatment

lechenie raka yaichnikovIn connection with frequent relapses of ovarian cancer, combined treatment. First and foremost, the patient is radical surgical removal of the tumor to nearby tissues and organs. After surgery is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer this is standard procedure in the treatment of cancer this form.

If you have a large number of metastases or the formation of large size is assigned to preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. You must first reach this state of the tumor to become resectable size.

In the last stages, the patient is the complete removal of the ovaries, lesions of metastatic, uterus and omentum.
Of drug therapy prescribe drugs Taxol, Cisplatin, Carboplatin and others. These drugs act as an alternative to chemotherapy.

Physical activity and nutrition

Important after the disease or during it has the nutrition and physical activity. To maintain normal weight needs to consume large amount of calories sufficient for the body to recover (you will need a lot of protein).

As side effects during the different procedures women may experience loss of appetite, change in taste of familiar food. To solve this question will help dietitian.

Better tolerated treatment for swimming, Hiking, yoga classes. This greatly helps to reduce pain and nausea. But first you need to consult with your doctor.

The rehabilitation period

The rehabilitation period includes periodicexamination and observation of the patient after treatment. Very often the disease is back again and in a more aggressive manner. It is therefore necessary to follow any changes of the body using various surveys. Usually performed mammography, blood test, ultrasound examination.

Prevention

Special prevention against ovarian cancer does not exist. This is because incompletely understood etiology and pathogenesis of this disease. The main preventive measure is the periodical survey at the gynecologist and timely treatment of diseases that lead to infertility. It is also important to consult a doctor at the slightest suspicion of problems with the ovaries.

Pregnancy and childbirth, on the contrary, have a protective effect, and, to some extent, reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer.