Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in females. The peak age of incidence is 60 years and it generally carries a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis. Around 90% of ovarian cancers are epithelial in origin.
Risk factors
It is traditionally taught that infertility treatment increases the risk of ovarian cancer, as it increases the number of ovulations. Recent evidence however suggests that there is not a significant link. The combined oral contraceptive pill reduces the risk (fewer ovulations) as does having many pregnancies.
Clinical features are notoriously vague
Diagnosis is difficult and usually involves diagnostic laparotomy
Risk factors
- family history: mutations of the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 gene
- many ovulations: early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity
It is traditionally taught that infertility treatment increases the risk of ovarian cancer, as it increases the number of ovulations. Recent evidence however suggests that there is not a significant link. The combined oral contraceptive pill reduces the risk (fewer ovulations) as does having many pregnancies.
Clinical features are notoriously vague
- abdominal distension and bloating
- abdominal and pelvic pain
- urinary symptoms e.g. Urgency
- early satiety
- diarrhoea
Diagnosis is difficult and usually involves diagnostic laparotomy