Primary Peritoneal Cancer Guide

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are many and varied. Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that produce an ovum every month and released through the Fallopian Tube. Ovarian cancer, whose cause is unknown, is the fifth most common cancer among women and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the reproductive system.

Often the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are confused with other medical problems. In some cases the patient does not experience any symptoms. About 20% of national cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed early before spreading to any other part of the body. Incipient ovarian cancer may cause symptoms, although they also occur with many other conditions. You should see a doctor if the following symptoms persist on a daily basis for more than a few weeks; bloating, difficulty when eating or feeling full quickly, pelvic or abdominal pain.

Other symptoms are also seen with ovarian cancer, but they can also be common in women without cancer. Warning signs may include:

1. pain or pressure in the pelvic area or back
2. indigestion, gas and bloating without explanation
3. unusual vaginal bleeding
4. pain or swelling in the abdomen
5. increased abdominal size
6. increased feeling of having to urinate or changes in bowel habits
7. feeling tired
8. weight loss

Most women with these symptoms do not have a serious problem. However, they should divulge them with their physicians. The doctor can perform a pelvic laparoscopy or exploratory laparotomy to evaluate symptoms and get a biopsy to help make the diagnosis. No imaging or laboratory test has ever shown that it can diagnose ovarian cancer at an early stage (screening).

Surgery is a treatment for all stages of ovarian cancer. It’s important to note that for the initial stages it may be the only treatment. The surgery involves:

1. Removing the uterus (hysterectomy)
2. Removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes
3. Partial or complete excision of the omentum. (A sheet of fat that is covered by peritoneum. The greater omentum is attached to the bottom edge of the stomach, and hangs down in front of the intestines. Its other edge is attached to the transverse colon. The lesser omentum is attached to the top edge of the stomach, and extends to the undersurface of the liver.)
4. Review, biopsy or removal of lymph nodes and other tissues in the pelvis and abdomen just as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Some possible complications may be: when cancer spreads to other organs, loss of organ function, fluid in the abdomen and intestinal obstruction. You should make an appointment with your doctor if you are a woman over 40 years of age who have not recently had a pelvic examination. You should see your doctor periodically and remember that Pap tests and pelvic examinations are routinely recommended for all women over 20 years of age. Call your doctor if you display any regular symptoms of ovarian cancer so he can get you tested.