خواتین میں بیضہ دانی کا سرطان آٹھوں سب سے عام سرطان ہے۔ اس کی ابتدائی علامات پیٹ کے اطراف میں درد کی صورت میں سامنے آتی ہیں۔ شروع میں یہ درد ماہواری کے دوران ہونے والی تکلیف کے جیسا ہو سکتا ہے جو کہ چند دنوں بعد ٹھیک ہو جاتا ہے لیکن ٹیومر کے ھجم میں اضافے کے ساتھ علامات میں بھی شدت پیدا ہو جاتی ہے۔
اس بیماری کی علامات میں بھوک نہ لگنا یا تھوڑا کھا کر بھی پیٹ بھرا محسوس کرنا، رفع حاجت کی عادات میں تبدیلیاں اور پیشاب کنٹرول کرنے کے مسائل شامل ہیں۔ اس کے علاوہ قبض، نظام انہضام کے مسائل، متلی اور گیس کی شکایات بھی سامنے آ سکتی ہیں۔ بیضہ دانی کے کینسر کا شکار خواتین میں کمر کے نچلے حصے کا درد، جسمانی کمزوری اور وزن کی اچانک کمی بھی دیکھنے میں آتی ہے۔ بعض اوقات اس مینسر کی وجہ سے حیض کی بے قاعدگیاں بھی سامنے آ سکتی ہیں۔
اوویرین کنیسر سے بچائو میں کچھ تدابیر کار آمد ہیں جو کہ درج ذیل ہیں۔
وزن کو صحت مند حد میں رکھنا اور ایک صحت مند طرز زندگی اختیار کر کے اوویرین کینسر کا خطرہ کم کیا جا سکتا ہے۔ اس کے علاوہ وقفے کے لیے استعمال کی جانے والی ادویات اور سن یاس کے بعد استعمال ہونے والی ہارمونل تھراپی کا استعمال بھی اوویرین کینسر کے خطرے کو بڑھا دیتا ہے۔ بے اولادی یا زیادہ عمر میں اولاد ہونا بھی اس کینسر کی وجہ بن سکتا ہے۔ اس کینسر کا شکار خواتین میں موٹاپا خطرناک ثابت ہو سکتا ہے۔
اس سلسلے میں کچھ محرکات ایسے بھی ہیں جن کا ازالہ ممکن نہیں جیسے کہ عمر مین اضافہ یا خاندان میں اوویرین کینسر کا ہونا۔ لیکن دیگر احتیاطی تدابیر اور صحت مند طرز زندگی اختیار کر کے آپ اس کینسر کا خطرہ با آسانی کم کر سکتی ہیں۔
Cancer Specialist / Oncologist
MBBS, FCPS (Medical Oncology), CMT, MD (USA)
Cancer Specialist / Oncologist
MBBS, FCPS (Medical Oncology), MD (USA), DHHM
Cancer Specialist / Oncologist
MBBS, FCPS (Medical Oncology), SCE Medical Oncology (Royal college of UK)
Ovarian cancer starts when abnormal cells in the ovaries, the fallopian tubes or the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) grow out of control and form a tumor. The ovaries are two small organs on either side of the uterus. They produce eggs and the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
What makes ovarian cancer serious is that it rarely causes clear signs in the early stages. Its first symptoms, such as bloating or mild stomach pain, are easy to confuse with digestive problems. As a result, many women are diagnosed only after the cancer has spread. When it is found early, while it is still limited to the ovary, treatment works much better.
Ovarian cancer mostly affects women after menopause, but it can occur at any age.
Early signs of ovarian cancer are often vague. A woman’s first symptoms are usually:
Bloating or swelling of the stomach that does not go away
Pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis or back
Feeling full quickly or losing appetite
Needing to pass urine often or urgently
As the disease progresses, other signs may include:
Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
Unexplained weight loss or weight gain around the waist
Constant tiredness
Pain during intercourse
Vaginal bleeding after menopause or irregular periods
These symptoms are common and are usually caused by less serious conditions. See a gynecologist if any of them is new for you, does not go away, and happens on most days for more than two to three weeks.
The exact cause of ovarian cancer is not known. It begins when changes (mutations) in the DNA of cells make them grow and divide abnormally. Inherited gene changes, mainly in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and conditions such as Lynch syndrome raise the risk. Many high-grade ovarian cancers are now thought to start in the fallopian tubes and then spread to the ovary.
Factors that increase the risk of ovarian cancer include:
Age, as most cases occur after menopause
Family history of ovarian, breast or bowel cancer
Inherited gene changes (BRCA1, BRCA2, Lynch syndrome)
Endometriosis
Never having been pregnant
Starting periods early or reaching menopause late
Long-term hormone replacement therapy after menopause
Obesity
Smoking
Using birth control pills, as advised by a doctor
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Keeping a healthy weight and not smoking
Genetic counseling and testing for women with a strong family history; some high-risk women choose risk-reducing surgery after discussing it with their doctor
Ovarian cancer is classified by the type of cell where it starts:
The most common type, making up about 90% of cases. It starts in the cells covering the outer surface of the ovary or in the fallopian tube. High-grade serous carcinoma is its most common subtype.
These start in the cells that produce eggs. They are rare and mostly affect teenagers and young women. They usually respond well to treatment.
These start in the tissue that holds the ovary together and produces hormones. They are often found early and may cause abnormal bleeding because of extra hormones.
Doctors use the FIGO staging system to describe how far ovarian cancer has spread:
Stage I: Cancer is limited to one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes.
Stage II: Cancer has spread to other organs in the pelvis, such as the uterus or bladder.
Stage III: Cancer has spread to the lining of the abdomen outside the pelvis and/or to nearby lymph nodes.
Most ovarian cysts are harmless fluid-filled sacs that go away on their own and are not cancer. A doctor may look more closely if a cyst looks complex on ultrasound, keeps growing, is large, or appears after menopause. In such cases, a CA-125 blood test, further scans or referral to a specialist may be advised.
The tests used to diagnose ovarian cancer include:
Pelvic examination to check the ovaries and uterus for any lump or abnormality
Transvaginal ultrasound to see the size and structure of the ovaries
CA-125 blood test, a protein that is often raised in ovarian cancer (it can also rise in non-cancerous conditions)
CT scan or MRI to check whether the cancer has spread
Biopsy or surgery to remove a tissue sample and confirm the diagnosis
Genetic testing to look for BRCA or other gene changes that affect treatment and family risk
There is no reliable way to check for ovarian cancer at home, and a self-examination cannot detect it. What you can do at home is pay attention to your body. Keep a note of symptoms such as bloating, pelvic pain, feeling full quickly or frequent urination. If they happen on most days for more than two to three weeks, see a gynecologist. Women with a family history should ask their doctor about regular check-ups.
Treatment depends on the stage, the type of cancer, the woman’s age and her overall health. Common options are:
Surgery: Removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus, and as much of the tumor as possible. In young women with very early-stage disease, fertility-sparing surgery that keeps one ovary and the uterus may be possible.
Chemotherapy: Given after surgery, and sometimes before it to shrink the tumor.
Targeted therapy: Medicines such as PARP inhibitors, used especially in women with BRCA mutations, to keep the cancer from coming back.
Hormone therapy: Used for some slow-growing or stromal tumors.
Follow-up care: Regular check-ups and CA-125 tests to watch for recurrence.
Ovarian cancer and its treatment can lead to:
Fluid build-up in the abdomen (ascites)
Bowel or urinary blockage
Fluid around the lungs, causing breathlessness
Spread of cancer to the liver, lungs or other organs
Early menopause after removal of the ovaries
Infertility
Side effects of chemotherapy, such as fatigue, hair loss and nausea
Cancer coming back after treatment
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Marham shares expert-reviewed information to support your health journey. The information on this page is only to guide and inform you. For any personal advice, it’s always best to check with a medical professional.