Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers, according to the American Cancer Society, and the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in women. With fewer than 20 percent of ovarian cancer cases caught before they spread past the ovary, most women are not diagnosed until it's already at an advanced stage, says the American Cancer Society. As the cancer progresses, complications from the disease and treatment may arise.
Diagnosis
The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2010 in the United States, nearly 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed, and approximately 14,000 women will die from the disease. A large majority of cases are found in older women, with the American Cancer Society estimating that about half the diagnoses occur in women over the age of 60.
Types
Complications resulting from ovarian cancer can be of several types, according to the Manual of Clinical Oncology, edited by Dennis Casciato. These complications include abdominal problems like bowel obstruction or malignant ascites; pulmonary complications like malignant pleural effusion; and hematologic issues like anemia or a lowered white blood cell count, typically resulting from chemotherapy treatments.
Features
Different complications of ovarian cancer have different features, depending on the area of the body they affect. Symptoms of a bowel obstruction can include nausea or vomiting, severe constipation and abdominal pain. Malignant ascites is a buildup of fluid in the abdomen caused by cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Depending on the amount of fluid, this can cause abdominal distension, pain, discomfort and breathing difficulties. Malignant pleural effusion is a sign of advanced disease, according to the Manual of Clinical Oncology. This condition involves fluid containing cancer cells surrounding the lungs and can cause difficulty breathing.
Treatments
Though ovarian cancer complications can be serious occurrences, there are treatments available to minimize symptoms and improve quality of life. Surgical treatments, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used to treat a bowel obstruction, depending on the particular situation. Ascites can typically be managed by paracentesis, says the National Cancer Institute, which drains the fluid through a needle or tube in the abdomen. Thoracentesis, inserting a needle between the ribs and removing fluid, is used to treat malignant pleural effusion, as is chemotherapy and pleurodesis, a procedure that helps prevent fluid buildup in the lung cavity. Based on the type of hematologic complication, blood or platelet transfusions may be necessary.
Considerations
Complications such as bowel obstruction and malignant pleural effusion can be signs of very advanced ovarian cancer, and depending on the specific complication, the patients' overall health and the specific situation, it may be worth thinking about palliative treatment rather than more invasive treatments. Palliative treatment aims to ease symptoms and improve quality of life, but is not intended to cure.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Ovarian Cancer
- American Cancer Society: Ovarian Cancer: What are the key statistics about ovarian cancer?
- "Manual of Clinical Oncology (6th Edition)"; Dennis Casciato, Ed; 2009
- National Cancer Institute: Treatment for Malignant Ascites
