Ovarian cancer occurs when cells in the ovaries or fallopian tubes begin to rapidly grow, forming a cancerous mass (tumor). There are just under 20,000 new cases of the disease each year—and over 12,000 deaths. As with most forms of cancer, the earlier ovarian cancer can be diagnosed, the better the treatment outcome will be. Speak with a Bayhealth cancer expert about screenings and treatment options for ovarian cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
Although most symptoms of ovarian cancer can be caused by less serious conditions, you should consult with your doctor if the following signs persist for weeks or months.
- Abdominal or back pain
- Bloating or swelling in the back or abdomen
- Changes in bowel movements
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
- Menstrual changes
- Unexplained weight loss
Risk Factors and Prevention
While exact causes differ depending on the type and location of ovarian cancer, several factors may increase your risk of developing the disease.
- Age: Ovarian cancer risk increases with age. Most cases occur in women older than 40, and half of all cases occur in women over the age of 60.
- Nulliparity: Women who have never carried a pregnancy or given birth to a child have a heightened risk for developing ovarian cancer.
- Hormone Therapy After Menopause: The use of estrogen by itself (or with progesterone) after menopause is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
- Ethnicity: Ovarian cancer is more common among women with Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish backgrounds.
Family and Personal History
Because so many cases are linked to inherited syndromes or genetic mutations, understanding your family’s medical history can be beneficial to the treatment or prevention of ovarian cancer.
In clinical partnership with Penn Medicine’s Telegenetics Program, Bayhealth provides genetic counseling services to patients. Using video-conferencing software that can be accessed on our Kent and Sussex campuses, genetic counselors from the Abramson Cancer Center will discuss your personal and family history with you and make genetic testing recommendations. These tests will provide insight into your cancer risks and help our multidisciplinary medical team to determine the best treatment plan for your condition. To learn more about our telegenetics program or to participate, call us at 302-674-4401.
How We Diagnose Ovarian Cancer
Our board-certified team of pathologists, oncologists, nurses, technicians and other specialists will use the following procedures to diagnose ovarian cancer.
- Blood Analysis: A blood test may rule out other conditions.
- Biopsy: Part or all of the ovary is extracted for examination in a pathology lab.
- Laparoscopy: Small incisions are made in the abdomen through which a thin tube with a video camera (laparoscope) can be inserted. This allows our cancer experts to examine your ovaries for signs of disease. The laparoscope may also be equipped with an ultrasound probe to create sonogram images of your organs.
- Computerized Tomography (CT): Certified experts use computer-processed X-rays to generate a scan of your body in “slices” to create highly accurate images.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of specific areas of your body to determine if disease or physical abnormalities are present.
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: A small amount of radioactive material (which is known to absorb into cancer cells more than normal cells) is injected into your bloodstream, allowing a scanner to locate the cancerous cells.
- Ultrasound: High-energy sound waves are bounced off your internal tissues and organs, creating a detailed image (sonogram) of your ovaries.
Treatment Options
Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to outline a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Experts from a range of specialties will discuss your condition and determine the best plan of action. Factors we consider when developing your treatment plan include the stage and location of the cancer and your personal medical history.
Treatments for ovarian cancer include the following.
Medical Therapy
Our highly trained and certified nursing staff provide medical therapies to treat your cancer. These therapies can be administered intravenously, orally or through injection.
We have several medical therapy treatment options for cancer patients.
- Targeted Drug Therapy: This type of cancer treatment uses drugs to “target” cancer cells without affecting normal cells.
- Chemotherapy: This drug treatment uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment option boosts your immune system, empowering it to fight and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy
Our team of board-certified radiation oncologists may use external beam radiation in combination with other treatments to address your cancer. Employing sophisticated technology, our therapists concentrate high-energy beams of radiation on the precise parts of your body affected by disease. This safe and accurate procedure may be administered routinely over a period of days or weeks.
Surgical Approach
Our specialized surgery team uses the latest in minimally invasive techniques to remove the parts of the ovaries affected by disease. Adhering to evidence-based guidelines, our robot-assisted surgical procedures provide safe treatment for all stages of cancer.
Learn more about cancer treatment options at Bayhealth.
Support Services
Before, during and after your cancer treatments, our experts remain dedicated to improving your quality of life. Our care team supports you in establishing healthy routines that help you stay in control of your daily symptoms. We also host support groups that provide patients and families opportunities to connect and share their experiences — because a strong network of support can help to make the realities of cancer more manageable.
- Cancer Support Community: A statewide non-profit organization, the Cancer Support Community is dedicated to helping people manage the emotional aspects of their cancer journey. Learn more about the Cancer Support Community.
Explore our classes, events and support groups.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that test cutting-edge drugs, procedures and technologies with the purpose of establishing new or better ways of treating cancer. The skilled nurses in our Clinical Research Program can help you find clinical trial options for your specific cancer.
Speak with a Bayhealth expert about cancer treatment options.