Ovarian cancer ranks fifth as a killer globally. It ranks second among the most common cancers affecting women.
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Ovarian cancer
It is an ovarian malignant tumor that occurs when ovarian cells begin to grow abnormally to form a tumor. If left untreated, it is likely to spread to other areas of the body, called metastatic ovarian cancer.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
The most prominent symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
- Flatulence and indigestion.
- Discomfort in the pelvic area.
- Loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Increase the number of urinations.
- Constipation.
- Low back pain.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Irregular or heavy menstrual cycle.
- General asthenia.
Since these symptoms and signs are general, and common to the feast of diseases. Ovarian cancer is not detected until after the disease has progressed.
Causes of ovarian cancer
The causes of ovarian cancer are not yet defined, but there are a group of risk factors that cause ovarian cancer, most notably:
- Family history
Women with a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer are at high risk of ovarian cancer.
In addition, women with genetic mutations in the BRCA gene have a risk of ovarian cancer.
- Fertility problems
Women who are unable to conceive due to fertility problems are at risk of ovarian cancer.
- Hormone therapy
Some studies suggest that women who use hormone therapy are at risk of ovarian cancer.
But hormone therapy is recommended at the lowest possible dose, and the shortest period of time. With the aim of treating the symptoms of menopause.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
High levels of androgenic hormones seen in polycystic ovary syndrome increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Aging, as most women develop postmenopausal ovarian cancer.
- No childbirth and childbearing
- Women whose periods began 12 years ago.
- Asbestos exposure.
- Previous endometriosis.
- Smoking.
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer in Turkey
Early diagnosis significantly enhances the chance of recovery from the disease. Among the most prominent methods of diagnosing ovarian cancer in Turkey are the following:
- Routine screening
The doctor performs a routine examination, in order to make sure there is a lump in the ovary.
- Ultrasonography
A lump in the ovaries can be observed by ultrasound, and most of these lumps are noncancerous.
- Biopsy.
A biopsy is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis that a woman has ovarian cancer. The doctor removes a small piece of any tumor he finds and sends it to the laboratory to confirm if the tumor is cancerous or not.
- Screening for the presence of cancer antigen
A blood test is done to detect the presence of cancer antigen (CA-125), which is usually performed on women who have a high risk of ovarian cancer.
There is not enough evidence about the effectiveness of this method in detecting ovarian cancer. The high percentage of cancer antigen (CA-125) may be caused by several other diseases, including:
- Menstruation and endometriosis.
- uterine myoma and various types of cancer.
- Laparoscopy.
Ovarian Cancer Treatment in Turkey
There are many ways to treat ovarian cancer in Turkey, most notably:
- Surgery
The doctor resorts to removing the affected ovary in some cases, the hysterectomy is done depending on the extent of the tumor's spread.
- Chemotherapy
It is used to kill rapidly proliferating cells such as: cancer cell and is usually used after surgery to eliminate any remaining tumor cells.
- Targeted drug therapy
These treatments are used if the cancer doesn't respond to other treatments. This is after locating the cancer to determine the exact treatment it targets.
- Palliative treatment
This type of medication is used to relieve pain associated with cancer, especially after surgery or chemotherapy
Prevention of ovarian cancer
There are some ways to prevent ovarian cancer, most notably:
- Pregnancy and lactation.
Healthy lifestyle: It is important to eat a healthy diet and avoid smoking to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Exercise regularly.
- Taking oral contraceptives over 5 years of age reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.
cost of ovarian cancer treatment in Turkey
Turkey has a very high level of extensive experience of its doctors, the infrastructure of its hospitals and the medical services it provides. In addition, the cost of ovarian cancer treatment in Turkey is very low compared to other countries.
Genetic mutations and ovarian cancer
There are two types of gene mutations associated with ovarian cancer, known as BRCA1 (BRCA2). These genes are also linked to breast cancer. The patient has a family history of these cancers. Your doctor may suggest genetic testing to identify these mutations. This may help treat ovarian cancer early.
Are there complications of ovarian cancer?
The patient may spread to other parts of the body when the disease is not diagnosed and treated directly, forming tumor metastases and many other complications.
In conclusion, we have learned about ovarian cancer in Turkey, what are its causes and methods of treatment. For more information, you can request a free and immediate consultation from the best gynecologist in Istanbul, Prof. Dr. med. Sona Özdemir.
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