Ovarian cancer led to almost 14,000 deaths and accounted for more than 21,500 new cancer diagnoses in the United States in 2009, according to the National Cancer Institute. Ovarian cancer develops when the specialized cells that make up the ovaries begin to proliferate out of control, leading to the formation of a tumor. Earlier stage ovarian cancer, in which the cancer growth is localized around the ovary, is often asymptomatic, and patients do not develop symptoms of the disease until it has spread to other organs. Late-stage ovarian cancer can prove fatal due to multiple organ damage from cancer growth.
Liver Metastases
Late-stage ovarian cancer commonly metastasizes to the inside of the liver. The liver normally helps detoxify the body by neutralizing toxins and also aids in metabolism and blood sugar regulation. During ovarian cancer development, the colonization of cancer cells inside the liver leads to progressive liver damage. As the cancer advances, the liver becomes less able to detoxify the body, leading to the accumulation of toxic substances in the body. Additionally, ovarian cancer growth can block ducts leading to the gallbladder, causing a yellowing of the skin and eyes, called jaundice. MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, indicates that cancer spreading to the liver is not typically curable and will eventually prove fatal.
Splenic Metastases
Ovarian cancer also commonly spreads to the spleen, CancerFacts.com notes. Under normal conditions, the spleen houses white blood cells called lymphcytes and functions to maintain the integrity of the blood by destroying red blood cells. Without proper spleen function, the number of red blood cells in the body becomes dysregulated, leading to a buildup of defective red blood cells. When ovarian cancer spreads to the spleen, the normal function of the spleen becomes disrupted by cancer growth, which can lead to irregularities in blood cell counts. The abnormal destruction of red blood cells can lead to conditions such as anemia, which, if left untreated, can complicate cancer treatment and eventually prove fatal.
Lung Metastases
In some cases, ovarian cancer cells can also travel to the lungs, according to MedlinePlus, leading to fatal lung damage. As cancer grows within the air sacs or airways in the lungs, the cancer leads to a decrease in overall lung capacity. As a result, patients with lung metastases typically notice constant shortness of breath and a diminished ability to do physical activity. As ovarian cancer growth in the lungs progresses, patients may begin to cough up bloody sputum. In the latest stage of ovarian cancer, patients may not be able to breathe without medical support, due to a blockage of the airways or extensive damage to the lungs. Although ovarian cancer patients may undergo surgery or radiation therapy to slow cancer growth in the lungs, progressive lung damage due to cancer growth may eventually prove fatal.
