One of the most essential parts of the female reproductive system is the ovaries. In the female body, there are two ovaries, which are small almond-shaped organs.
These are responsible for producing the primary female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, as well as the female gamete, ovum. Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal cancers found in women.
Ovarian cancer is an abnormal and uncontrollable growth of cells or tissues in the ovary.
Cancers are usually termed after the area of the body where they initially appear. Ovarian cancer originates in the ovary. If the cancer is malignant, it has the potential to spread to other areas of the body, including the pelvic and abdominal regions.
Ovarian cancer can be asymptomatic in many cases. Sometimes, it may induce symptoms that may go unnoticed or taken lightly. Here are some signs of ovarian cancer you shouldn’t ignore:
In case you are suffering from any one of the above-mentioned symptoms then you should at the earliest seek the guidance of Dr Saphalta Baghmar. She is considered the best Ovarian Cancer Specialist in Delhi.
There are four different stages of ovarian cancer.
The diagnosis before the ovarian cancer treatment involves several physical and imaging tests. These tests help in detecting and determining the size, stage, and severity of the tumor. Note that a biopsy is used to confirm cancer at the end of the diagnosis. Some of the common tests for ovarian cancer diagnosis include:
Here, the doctor conducts a physical pelvic exam. They examine your external genitalia, cervix, and the vaginal canal. This helps them detect any unusual growth or structure in the pelvic area.
The doctor may prescribe some imaging tests like a CT scan and ultrasound of the abdomen. This helps locate the tumor and estimate its size.
Blood tests help in estimating the organ function status and other factors like hormonal levels. This also detects tumor markers present in the blood that may indicate the presence of tumor cells in the body.
In some cases, surgery is performed to closely analyze the ovaries and the surrounding organs for any cancerous growth.
Ovarian cancer surgery may take anywhere between one to three hours. It mainly depends on the nature and objective of the procedure.
After the surgery, you may have to stay at the hospital for around a week under the doctor’s observation. It usually takes around three months to fully recover from the procedure. Talk to your ovarian cancer doctor about your expected recovery period and the precautions you need to take during the time beforehand.
Ovarian cancer and its treatment may potentially cause future difficulties in getting pregnant. In some severe cases, it may even lead to infertility.
A hysterectomy removes the ovaries and hence eliminates the chances of conceiving. Similarly, chemotherapy often leads to primary ovarian insufficiency. It is a condition where the ovaries are unable to function properly due to the harsh action of the chemotherapy drugs.
Modern medicine has, however, experienced significant advances. If only one of your ovaries is removed during a hysterectomy, you should be able to get pregnant later on. Also, you can consider undergoing procedures like egg or embryo freezing with your ovarian cancer doctor.
After ovarian cancer treatment, you need to make some lifestyle changes to ensure your good health. Here are some some habits you should adopt after an ovarian cancer surgery:
Note that there could be additional changes based on the specifics of your condition and the treatment. Consult with your doctor after the ovarian cancer treatment about the necessary lifestyle changes.
Certain risk factors enhance the likelihood of ovarian cancer:
In India, the ovarian cancer treatment cost varies based mainly on the severity of the cancer, the treatment plan, and the location of the hospital providing the treatment. The table below depicts different Indian cities with their respective average costs of ovarian cancer treatment.
|
Name of the City |
Average Cost of Ovarian Cancer Treatment |
|---|---|
|
Delhi |
INR 1,40,000 |
|
Gurgaon |
INR 1,37,000 |
|
Bangalore |
INR 1,26,000 |
|
Chennai |
INR 1,15,000 |
|
Mumbai |
INR 1,30,000 |
|
Hyderabad |
INR 1,18,000 |
|
Pune |
INR 1,12,000 |
|
Noida |
INR 1,36,000 |
Note that these are only the average amounts and the actual treatment price may vary based on the hospital, the doctor, and the additional expenses.
Ovarian cancer can be treated in a variety of ways, including:
Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer can cause a great deal of anxiety and stress. It is critical to speak with an expert oncologist who can provide you with a thorough understanding of the available treatment choices that are appropriate for the stage of cancer that you are at. This tumor, even if advanced stage can be controlled.
