Unlike other types of cancer, which are silent and asymptomatic, ovarian cancer may produce very serious signs and symptoms even at a very early stage. Some of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer can be very similar to less serious conditions such as urinary tract infections or mild abdominal problems. These symptoms include:
What is Ovarian Cancer?
O
varian cancer occurs when some cells in your ovaries start to rapidly divide uncontrollably, creating growths or tumors around the ovaries and surrounding tissues. According to the American Cancer Association, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer among women, and it is estimated that more than 20,000 women will be diagnosed with this type of cancer every year.
Ovarian cancer affects the ovaries, which are a keypart of the female reproductive system. All females have two ovaries, each about the size of an almond, which lie on either side of the uterus and are responsible for creating and releasing eggs during the menstrual cycle, as well as producing the two mean female sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone.
Match to Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials
- Access to cutting-edge treatments
- Latest clinical trials
- Find trials in your area
How is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?
- Bloating
- Indigestion and changes in appetite
- Changes in bowel movements
- Urinary incontinence or increased urge to urinate
- Pain around the pelvis area
- Back pain
- Fatigue
When ovarian cancer is found at its early stages, patients have nearly a 95% chance of living more than five years after their diagnosis. However, only 20% of ovarian cancer cases are found early.
Currently, there are no tests to specifically diagnose ovarian cancer. This type of cancer is usually found during routine checkups when a professional perform a pelvic exam to evaluate the shape, size and any abnormalities in around the uterus and ovaries.
Unfortunately, it is very hard to feel or see any to see or feel any tumors early, which is why most women are diagnosed later. In addition to a pelvic exam, doctors might order a transvaginal ultrasound or a CA-125 blood test.
What Causes Ovarian Cancer?
Scientists still aren’t exactly sure about what causes ovarian cancer. As with many other types of cancer, there are a number of risk factors that can increase the likelihood of a woman to develop this kind of cancer, however, have one or even a few of these risk factors doesn’t mean that a person is destined to develop the disease.
These are some risk factors that have been observed in women with ovarian cancer:
Age
Older women seem to be more likely than younger women to develop ovarian cancer. In fact, most women with ovarian cancer have been diagnosed after menopause, and half of all ovarian cancers are diagnosed in women 60 and older.
Hormone Replacement Therapy After Menopause
Researchers have observed that women who continue taking hormones after menopause has ended have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Additionally, women who have taken estrogen without progesterone for more than five years also have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Family History
Women with a family history of ovarian cancer (mother, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, etc.) have a higher risk of developing it than those who do not have any family history of ovarian cancer.
Being Obese or Overweight
Having a high body mass index (BMI) has been linked to several types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. However, researchers are still trying to figure out the relationship between cancer cells and obesity.
Having Children Later in Life or Never Having Children
Women who have had at least one successful pregnancy before the age of 30 seem to have a decreased risk of developing ovarian cancer, which also appears to decline with the number of children the woman has. On the other hand, women who never had children or had their first child later in life have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
How is Ovarian Cancer Treated?
The treatment course for ovarian cancer depends on the stage the cancer is in. Cancer is categorized in stages in order to describe its size and severity. The stages are as follows:
Depending on which stage the ovarian cancer is found, the doctor and the patient may decide in one – or several treatments to attack cancer cells. Some common ovarian cancer treatments include:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Clinical trials
Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials
Clinical trials have contributed a lot to the current survival rates of ovarian cancer. However, researchers are still trying to find better screening methods that will allow doctors to find and diagnose ovarian cancer earlier, thus improving the patient’s life expectancy. Scientists are continuously researching new, less invasive treatment options that might potentially cure ovarian cancer.
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, ask your doctor or contact your local hospital and/or university to find out which trials are recruiting volunteers near you.
ClinicalTrials.gov: Recruiting Studies | Ovarian Cancer | Last update posted in the last 300 days Studies found on ClinicalTrials.gov by a search of: Recruiting Studies | Ovarian Cancer | Last update posted in the last 300 days
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Niraparib for the Neoadjuvant Treatment of Unresectable Ovarian Cancer
on August 11, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Ovarian CancerIntervention: Drug: NiraparibSponsors: Tongji Hospital; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Hubei Cancer Hospital; Hunan Cancer Hospital; Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Zhejiang University; Sun Yat-sen University; Anhui Cancer Hospital; Jilin Provincial Tumor Hospital; The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou UniversityRecruiting
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αPD1-MSLN-CAR T Cells for the Treatment of MSLN-positive Advanced Solid Tumors
on August 7, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Colorectal Cancer; Ovarian CancerIntervention: Biological: αPD1-MSLN-CAR T cellsSponsors: Shanghai Cell Therapy Group Co.,Ltd; Shanghai 10th People's HospitalRecruiting
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A Trial of AMXI-5001 for Treatment in Patients With Advanced Malignancies
on August 7, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Advanced Malignant Neoplasm; Breast Cancer; Ovarian Cancer; Homologous Recombination DeficiencyInterventions: Drug: AMXI-5001:Dose Escalation Phase I; Drug: AMXI-5001: Dose Expansion Phase IISponsor: AtlasMedx, IncorporatedRecruiting
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68Ga-FAPI-04 and 18F-FDG PET/CT in Patients With Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Compared With Histological Findings
on August 7, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Epithelial Ovarian CancerIntervention: Diagnostic Test: 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CTSponsor: Peking Union Medical College HospitalRecruiting
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Remote Telemonitoring of Patient-Generated Physiologic Health Data and Patient-Reported Outcomes
on August 6, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Clinical Stage 0 Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage 0 Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage 0 Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Clinical Stage I Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage I Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage I Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Clinical Stage II Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage II Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage II Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IIA Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IIA Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IIB Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IIB Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Clinical Stage III Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage III Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage III Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IV Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IV Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IV Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IVA Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IVA Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IVA Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IVB Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IVB Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Clinical Stage IVB Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Hepatobiliary Neoplasm; Malignant Digestive System Neoplasm; Malignant Female Reproductive System Neoplasm; Malignant Genitourinary System Neoplasm; Malignant Neoplasm; Pathologic Stage 0 Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage 0 Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage 0 Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage I Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage I Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage I Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IA Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IA Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IA Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IB Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IB Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IB Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IC Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage II Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage II Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage II Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIA Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIA Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIA Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIB Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIB Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIB Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage III Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage III Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage III Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIIA Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIIA Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIIA Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIIB Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIIB Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIIB Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIIC Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IV Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IV Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IV Gastric Cancer AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IVA Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IVA Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IVB Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IVB Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage I Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage I Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage II Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage II Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage III Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage III Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage IIIA Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage IIIA Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage IIIB Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage IIIB Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage IV Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage IV Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage IVA Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage IVA Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage IVB Esophageal Adenocarcinoma AJCC v8; Postneoadjuvant Therapy Stage IVB Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma AJCC v8; Stage 0 Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage 0a Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage 0is Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage I Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage I Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage I Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage I Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage I Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage I Renal Cell Cancer AJCC v8; Stage I Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IA Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IA Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IA Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IA1 Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IA2 Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IB Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IB Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IB Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IB1 Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IB2 Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IC Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage II Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage II Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage II Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage II Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage II Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage II Renal Cell Cancer AJCC v8; Stage II Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIA Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIA Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIA Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIA Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIA1 Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIA2 Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIB Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIB Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIB Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIB Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIC Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIC Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage III Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage III Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage III Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage III Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage III Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage III Renal Cell Cancer AJCC v8; Stage III Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIA Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIA Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIA Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIA Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIA Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIA Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIA1 Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIA2 Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIB Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIB Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIB Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIB Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIB Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIB Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIC Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIC Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIC Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIC Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIC1 Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IIIC2 Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IV Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IV Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IV Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IV Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IV Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IV Renal Cell Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IV Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVA Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVA Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVA Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVA Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVA Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVA Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVB Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVB Cervical Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVB Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVB Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVB Prostate Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVB Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v8; Stage IVC Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8Interventions: Procedure: Patient Monitoring; Other: Questionnaire AdministrationSponsors: City of Hope Medical Center; National Cancer Institute (NCI)Recruiting
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Arsenic Trioxide in Recurrent and Metastatic Ovarian Cancer and Endometrial Cancer With P53 Mutation
on July 28, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Ovarian Cancer; Endometrial CancerIntervention: Drug: Arsenic trioxide for injectionSponsor: Ruijin HospitalRecruiting
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A Multivariate Index Assay for Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment in Women With Adnexal Mass and High-Risk Germline Variants
on July 27, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Adnexal MassIntervention: Device: OVAnexSponsor: Aspira Women's HealthRecruiting
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TTX-080 HLA-G Antagonist in Subjects With Advanced Cancers
on July 24, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Solid Tumor, AdultIntervention: Drug: TTX-080Sponsor: Tizona Therapeutics, IncRecruiting
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Food Supplements Based on Nettle and Peppermint to Control Signs and Symptoms Induced by Cancer Therapies
on July 17, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Breast Cancer; Gynecologic CancerInterventions: Dietary Supplement: Stinging Nettle; Dietary Supplement: PeppermintSponsor: Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico S. Orsola MalpighiRecruiting
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Transvaginal Ultrasonography as a Screening Method for Ovarian Cancer
on July 16, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Ovarian CancerIntervention: Procedure: Serial Transvaginal UltrasonographySponsor: John R van NagellRecruiting
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Exemestane in Hormone Receptor Positive High Grade Ovarian Cancer
on July 8, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Ovarian CancerInterventions: Drug: Exemestane; Other: Placebo oral tabletSponsors: Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera; Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS; Federation of Italian Cooperative Oncology GroupsRecruiting
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An INternational Frontline Ovarian Cancer Real World Management Study
on July 8, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Ovarian NeoplasmsIntervention: Sponsor: AstraZenecaRecruiting
Match to Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials
- Access to cutting-edge treatments
- Latest clinical trials
- Find trials in your area
Sources
- Key Statistics for Ovarian Cancer. American Cancer Society (April 11, 2018). Recovered from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/about/key-statistics.html