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Management

Unfortunately, there are no screening techniques available to detect ovarian cancer, due to there being no obvious signs or symptoms, many ovarian cancer cases are often found at the late stage when the cancer has already spread beyond the ovary. In fact, it is only 25 percent of ovarian cancer diagnosed at early stage.

Like many other cancers, the prognosis is better if the cancer is detected earlier. The chance of surviving is more than 5 years if the cancer is treated before it has spread beyond the ovaries.

Ovarian cancer can be both cancerous and non-cancerous. Cancerous or malignant ovarian cancer can develop from within the ovary (germ cells and sex cord-stromal cells) and from the cells covering or lining the ovaries (epithelial cells).

Ovarian cancer is referred to as a silent disease with no obvious symptoms, and no routine screening is available. You should see your doctor immediately if you experience bloating, swelling and persistent pain in your pelvic region or abdomen. Also, if you have been diagnosed with a separate condition, rather than ovarian cancer, but your symptoms do not improve after treatment is received. You should definitely schedule a second visit with your doctor or seek for a second opinion.

If you have two or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you should consider talking about this to your doctor. Your doctor might refer you to a genetic specialist or a genetic counselor.