Ovarian cancer (ovarian malignant tumor) is a quarter of all diagnoses among oncological diseases in the field of gynecology. The developments of Israeli oncologists, implemented in the treatment protocols for ovarian cancer in Israeli clinics, help to increase the survival rate of patients to 92%. In the early stages, this cancer is completely curable and the woman returns to a full life.
Risk factors
In most cases, ovarian cancer affects women over the age of 45. However, ovarian tumors are also found in very young girls. There are other risk factors.
- A mutation in the BRCA genes. This is the cause of up to 15% of all cases of ovarian cancer. You can detect it with a specific blood test. If such a mutation is present, a number of additional examinations should be performed annually.
- Overweight.
- Late first pregnancy.
- Taking birth control pills.
- Ligation of the fallopian tubes.
- Removal of the uterus (hysterectomy).
- Hormone therapy.
Heredity may also be a risk factor. If woman’s ancestors were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she needs to be examined regularly, especially after 45 years.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
The initial stages of ovarian cancer in most cases do not manifest themselves in any way. At more serious stages, characteristic symptoms and general signs of cancer may appear.
- Abdominal pain, abdominal enlargement, and a feeling of bloating.
- Causeless nausea and vomiting.
- Back and/or pelvic pain.
- False symptoms of bladder diseases (frequent urination, urinary incontinence, etc.).
- Discomfort and even pain during intimacy.
- Violation of the menstrual cycle.
Rapid fatigue even with minimal exercise and weight loss without any reason are common symptoms for most cancers, including ovarian cancer.
Diagnostics
In addition to the physical gynecological examination, doctors in Israeli clinics conduct a number of high-precision diagnostic tests.
- Blood tests (CBC, biochemistry, CA-125 tumor makers)
- Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography (CT, MRI, and PET).
- Ultrasound examination (US);
- Ovarian tissue biopsy and diagnostic laparoscopy.
Due to the asymptomatic onset of ovarian cancer development, it is detected at the first stage only in a quarter of all detected cases. Regular preventive examination is the key to early detection of malignant tumors in the ovaries and effective treatment with 100% survival rate.
Treatment of ovarian cancer in Israel
In Israeli clinics, any course of cancer treatment is selected collectively. In case of ovarian cancer, oncologists, gynecologists, radiologists and surgeons decide collectively on the choice of treatment strategy.
- Gentle chemotherapy with the latest generation of drugs. Precisely selected medications can reduce the tumor before surgery or eliminate the risk of developing remaining cancer cells and metastases.
- Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery. After such an operation, patients are discharged from the hospital on day 3-5 after the surgery.
- Spot radiation therapy is the destruction of a tumor in the ovaries with high-energy rays.
- Targeted therapy – special drugs attack only cancer cells at the molecular level.
Proper rehabilitation after surgery and a course of chemotherapy is the key to fast return to a full life. In Israel, all conditions are present for a comfortable and effective recovery after a course of ovarian cancer treatment.