Ovarian Tumor Types, Stages, Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Ovarian cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the female reproductive organ, ovary. Ovaries are the primary female reproductive organs that are involved in hormonal production, estrogen and progesterone. Ovaries regulate your menstrual cycle and are also involved in protection and releasing of females’ eggs for fertilization. Ovarian cancer can occur at any age. But it is more common in women between the ages of 50-60 years. Family history also plays an important role in ovarian cancer. Females with a previous history of breast, uterine, or colon cancer are at higher risk for developing ovarian tumor. Obesity and infertility also play an important role in ovarian tumors. The exact cause of ovarian tumor is still unknown.

Types

There are three types of ovarian cancer depending upon the cells of ovaries involved. These types are discussed below,

1. Epithelial tumors

If the abnormal growth of cells occurs in the cells that covers the outer lining of ovaries, and then it is termed as epithelial tumors. It accounts for about 85-90% cases of ovarian tumors.

2. Stromal tumors

If the abnormal growth of cells occurs in the hormone producing cells of ovaries, then it is termed as stromal tumor. It accounts for about 7% cases of ovarian tumors.

3. Germ cell tumors

If the abnormal growth of cells occurs in the egg producing cells, then it is termed as germ cells tumor. This type is more common in women of younger ages. Most of the cases of germ cell tumors are non-cancerous. But some are cancerous and life threatening.

Stages

There are four stages of ovarian cancer which are discussed below,

1. Stage I

The growth or multiplication of abnormal cells is limited to the ovary in stage I of ovarian cancer.

2. Stage II

The growth or multiplication of abnormal cells is spread to the pelvic region along with one or both ovaries in stage II of ovarian cancer.

3. Stage III

The growth or multiplication of abnormal cells involves one or both ovaries and extends beyond your pelvis area in stage III of ovarian cancer.

4. Stage IV

 The growth or multiplication of abnormal cells is spread throughout the body in stage IV of ovarian car.

Causes

The exact cause of ovarian tumor is still unknown. There are multiple factors that are responsible for the abnormal growth of cells. Genetic mutations are believed to be the root cause of ovarian cancer. Any error in DNA mutation results in abnormal growth or multiplication of normal cells. This abnormal multiplication results in the abnormal masses of cells which is called tumor or cancer.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of ovarian tumor are listed below,

• Bloating
• Feeling of pressure on the abdomen
• Severe menstrual cramps 
• Pain in the abdomen
• Pelvic pain
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty eating
• Difficult urination
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Low back pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling of fullness quickly after eating 

Treatment

The treatment of ovarian tumor or cancer depends upon the type, severity and stage of cancer and general health of patients. The effective treatment plan of ovarian cancer consists of surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment in ovarian cancer. Your surgeon will remove the tumor from the diagnosed location. But it is very difficult to diagnose the exact location of a tumor. Your doctor may remove your both ovaries, fallopian tubes, nearby lymph nodes and other pelvic tissue in some cases. Sometimes, hysterectomy is recommended which involves the complete removal of your uterus. In chemotherapy, anticancer drugs are used to kill the cancerous cells. It is used alone or in combination with surgery. It is mostly used after surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells. In chemotherapy, anti-cancer drugs are given intramuscular, oral, intraperitoneal or intravenous. Anti-cancer drugs include methotrexate and temozolomide etc.