What is Ovarian Cancer?

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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.

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How is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?

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:

  • 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:

Stage 1

Cancer is still small and contained within one area.

Stage 2 and 3

Cancer has begun to grow and spread to nearby tissues.

Stage 4

Also known as advanced or metastatic cancer, cancer has spread and is affecting other parts of the body.

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

  • Apatinib Combined With Abraxane and Carboplatin or Cisplatinum as First-line Treatment for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
    on October 19, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Condition:   Ovarian CancerInterventions:   Drug: Apatinib Mesylate;   Drug: Abraxane;   Drug: Cis Platinum;   Drug: CarboplatinSponsor:   Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen UniversityRecruiting

  • A Study for Post-Marketing Surveillance of Niraparib in the Treatment of Adult Participants for Approved Indications in South Korea
    on October 19, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Condition:   Ovarian NeoplasmsIntervention:   Sponsor:   TakedaRecruiting

  • Study of CYH33 in Combination With Olaparib an Oral PARP Inhibitor in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors.
    on October 14, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Conditions:   Ovarian Cancer;   Breast Cancer;   Solid Tumor;   Prostate Cancer;   Endometrial CancerIntervention:   Drug: CYH33Sponsor:   ShangHai HaiHe PharmaceuticalRecruiting

  • The Clinical Markers for PARP Inhibitors-related Efficacy in Ovarian Cancer
    on October 9, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Conditions:   Ovarian Cancer;   Clinical Marker;   PARP InhibitorIntervention:   Drug: PARP inhibitorsSponsor:   Xiaoxiang ChenRecruiting

  • Minimally Invasive Surgery After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Stage IIIC-IV Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal, or Fallopian Tube Cancer, LANCE Trial
    on October 5, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Conditions:   Advanced Ovarian Carcinoma;   Fallopian Tube Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma;   Fallopian Tube Endometrioid Tumor;   Fallopian Tube Serous Neoplasm;   Fallopian Tube Transitional Cell Carcinoma;   Ovarian Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma;   Ovarian Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma;   Ovarian Serous Adenocarcinoma;   Ovarian Transitional Cell Carcinoma;   Primary Peritoneal Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma;   Primary Peritoneal Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma;   Primary Peritoneal Serous Adenocarcinoma;   Primary Peritoneal Transitional Cell Carcinoma;   Stage IIIC Fallopian Tube Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IIIC Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IIIC Primary Peritoneal Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IV Fallopian Tube Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IV Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IV Primary Peritoneal Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IVA Fallopian Tube Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IVA Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IVA Primary Peritoneal Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IVB Fallopian Tube Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IVB Ovarian Cancer AJCC v8;   Stage IVB Primary Peritoneal Cancer AJCC v8Interventions:   Drug: Chemotherapy;   Procedure: Laparotomy;   Procedure: Minimally Invasive Surgery;   Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment;   Other: Questionnaire AdministrationSponsors:   M.D. Anderson Cancer Center;   National Cancer Institute (NCI)Recruiting

  • Choosing Ovarian Preservation or Removal Before Surgery for Endometrial Cancer
    on September 30, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Condition:   Endometrial CancerInterventions:   Behavioral: Impact of Event Scale-Revised;   Behavioral: Reproductive Concerns Scale;   Behavioral: Decision Regret ScaleSponsor:   Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterRecruiting

  • COM701 in Combination With BMS-986207 and Nivolumab in Subjects With Advanced Solid Tumors.
    on September 30, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Conditions:   Endometrial Neoplasms;   Ovarian Cancer;   Solid TumorInterventions:   Drug: COM701 in combination with BMS-986207 and nivolumab.;   Drug: Nivolumab monotherapy.Sponsors:   Compugen Ltd;   Bristol-Myers SquibbRecruiting

  • Anlotinib Combined With Dose-reduced Olaparib in Patients With Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
    on September 28, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Conditions:   Ovarian Cancer;   Ovarian and Fallopian Tube Cysts and Neoplasms;   Neoplasms by Site;   Neoplasms;   Genital Neoplasms, Female;   Urogenital Neoplasms;   Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial;   Neoplasms by Histologic Type;   Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial;   Ovarian Diseases;   Adnexal Diseases;   Genital Diseases, Female;   Carcinoma;   Anlotinib;   PARP Inhibitors;   BRCA1 Mutation;   Angiogenesis;   Antineoplastic Agents;   BRCA2 MutationInterventions:   Drug: Anlotinib;   Drug: OlaparibSponsor:   Xiaoxiang ChenRecruiting

  • Study BT8009-100 in Subjects With Nectin-4 Expressing Advanced Solid Tumors Malignancies
    on September 23, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Conditions:   Advanced Solid Tumor;   Urinary Bladder Neoplasm;   Pancreatic Neoplasms;   Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms;   Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung;   Stomach Neoplasm;   Esophageal Neoplasms;   Ovarian NeoplasmInterventions:   Drug: BT8009;   Drug: NivolumabSponsor:   Bicycle Tx LimitedRecruiting

  • Efficacy and Safety of Niraparib Combined With Bevacizumab in Platinum Refractory/Resistant Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
    on September 21, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Conditions:   Ovarian Neoplasms;   Fallopian Tube Neoplasms;   Endocrine Gland Neoplasms;   Neoplasms by Site;   Neoplasms;   Genital Neoplasms, Female;   Urogenital Neoplasms;   Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial;   Neoplasms by Histologic Type;   Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial;   Ovarian Diseases;   Adnexal Diseases;   Genital Diseases, Female;   Endocrine System Diseases;   Gonadal Disorders;   Carcinoma;   Bevacizumab;   Enzyme Inhibitors;   Antineoplastic Agents;   Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action;   Angiogenesis;   BRCA1 Mutation;   BRCA2 Mutation;   Homologous Recombination DeficiencyInterventions:   Drug: Niraparib;   Drug: BevacizumabSponsor:   Xiaoxiang ChenRecruiting

  • Translational Analysis In Longitudinal Series of Ovarian Cancer ORganoids
    on September 18, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Conditions:   Organoids;   Epithelial Ovarian CancerIntervention:   Procedure: Tumor biopsySponsor:   Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCSRecruiting

  • Docetaxel Ethanol-induced Symptoms; The Incidence and Risk Forecating Factor
    on September 11, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Conditions:   Breast Cancer;   NSCLC;   Prostate Cancer;   Head and Neck Cancer;   Gastric Cancer;   Esophageal Cancer;   Ovarian CancerIntervention:   Sponsor:   Boryung Pharmaceutical Co., LtdRecruiting

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