Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is often called a "silent killer" because it can develop with few to no symptoms until it progresses to an advanced stage. Our GYN oncologists partner with you and your support team to ensure you understand your cancer diagnosis and treatment options.

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms, Risks and Prevention

Ovarian cancer originates from the ovaries. Interestingly, some “ovarian” cancer originates from the fallopian tubes or peritoneum (the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs). In its early stages, ovarian cancer has few symptoms, so knowing your body and how you usually feel is essential.

You're more likely to experience any of the following symptoms if ovarian cancer has spread:

• Abdominal pain, pressure, bloating, or cramping
• Nausea
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Urinary frequency or urgency (need to urinate urgently or often)
• Feeling full quickly after eating
• Unexplained weight loss or gain

What are your ovarian cancer risk factors?

Your risk factors can determine how likely you are to develop ovarian cancer. Like risks for other diseases, some can be controlled, and others can't. It's important to know your risk factors to discuss them with your doctor and determine if you can lower your risk.

Non-genetic risk factors

• Age is the most common risk factor, as most ovarian cancer cases occur in women over age 60
• Women who have never had a baby
• History of infertility treatment
• A prior colon or breast cancer diagnosis

Genetic risk factors

Many genes can significantly increase your risk for ovarian cancer, including, but not limited to, BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Since there's no screening tool for ovarian cancer, knowing your family history is vital.

• If you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with ovarian cancer, your risk increases to 1 in 20 from about 1 in 70 (the risk for the general population).
• If a family member had a type of colon cancer called HNPCC (or Lynch syndrome), your risk increases to almost 1 in 10.

If you have a concern, consult a genetic counselor to determine if you have specific known genetic markers.

Can you prevent ovarian cancer?

Most cases of ovarian can’t be prevented. However, there are things you can do that may lower your risk, including:

• Taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills) for more than five years reduces your risk by about 50%
• Breastfeeding
• Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly
• Having your ovaries and fallopian tubes surgically removed if you’re at high risk for ovarian cancer because of genetic factors
• Having your fallopian tubes removed
• Seeing your OB/GYN for your annual well-woman exam

Types of Ovarian Cancer

• Epithelial carcinoma: This type of ovarian cancer begins in cells on the outer surface of the ovary. Epithelial carcinoma makes up about 90% of ovarian cancers.
• Germ cell tumor: This type of cancer develops in the egg-producing cells of the ovaries.
• Stromal tumor: A rare form of ovarian cancer, it develops in the connective tissue cells that hold the ovaries together and produce female hormones.

Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis at Virtua

There’s no effective ovarian cancer screening tool, but a pelvic exam with your gynecologist can help identify issues if you’re experiencing symptoms.

Your doctor may order these tests to help make a diagnosis:

• Pelvic ultrasound
• CT scan
• Lab work

Based on your results, your gynecologist will refer you to a GYN oncologist specializing in diagnosing and treating cancers affecting a woman's reproductive organs.

Your GYN oncologist may do additional tests to stage your cancer. Your cancer stage is based on tumor size, spread to other organs, and whether cancer cells are present in the lymph nodes.

Staging helps your doctor determine the best approach for treating your cancer.

Ovarian Cancer Treatment at Virtua

You have access to the most advanced cancer treatment options and personalized support services—all close to home in South Jersey.

Your care team is led by fellowship-trained, board-certified GYN oncologists. Your GYN oncologist works with you to explain your treatment options and the risks and benefits of those options.

Your care team may also include a medical oncologist, oncology nurse navigator, and other clinicians who support you before, during, and after treatment. Depending on your type, grade, and stage of ovarian cancer, your personalized treatment plan may include the following:

Surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment to remove ovarian cancer. It may include:

• Open (abdominal) radical hysterectomy, removing the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
• Lymph node removal with or without sentinel lymph node mapping to identify and test specific lymph nodes for cancer cells. If there's no cancer in the sentinel nodes, no other lymph nodes are removed.
• Tumor debulking to remove cancer that has spread within the abdomen.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells that may have spread throughout the body. Chemotherapy may be used to shrink tumors before surgery or destroy residual cancer cells as part of your treatment plan after surgery.

Targeted biological therapy

Targeted therapy is a treatment that uses drugs or other substances that target the growth or spread of certain cancers based on your cancer's specific molecular profile. 

Next-generation sequencing

Next-generation sequencing is a molecular test your doctor can use to determine how advanced-stage or recurrent ovarian cancer may respond to targeted therapy, like immunotherapy.

Cancer genetic testing

Virtua’s cancer genetics program provides genetic testing to identify risks for cancers that run in families, such as breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer. We make genetic counseling and testing easy for you, offering genetic counseling through telehealth appointments with licensed genetic counselors,

Palliative care

Palliative care aims to improve your quality of life and help you feel your best through treatment for a serious illness. A palliative care plan may include pain management, symptom management, nutritional counseling, and emotional or spiritual support. Our team can help you express and document your goals for care and provide peace of mind about your decisions.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials are used to test new cancer treatment regimens. The National Cancer Institute provides updates on ovarian cancer research and clinical trials, including information on prevention and treatment.