Concluding Part - Grading Of Cancer Cells

SURGERY
 

A number of cases of ovarian cancer may require an operation. In case where the cancer is at a very early stage, that is just confined to the ovary and has not spread, then an operation to remove the affected ovary and associated fallopian tube may be all the treatment required. However, in many cases the cancer has already grown into other nearby structures or has spread. Therefore, a more extensive operation is often needed.
 

For example, the operation may involve removing the affected ovary, plus the uterus, the other ovary and also other affected areas in the lower abdomen.
 

CHEMOTHERAPY
 

Chemotherapy is a treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells or stop them from multiply. Chemotherapy is commonly given after having an operation. The aim is to kill any cancer that has been left behind after the operation. Sometimes chemotherapy is given before surgery to reduce the size of the cancer. This may make surgery easier and more likely to be successful.
 

RADIOTHERAPY
 

Radiotherapy is a treatment that uses high energy beams of radiation which are focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells or stops cancer cells from multiplying. Radiotherapy is not often used for ovarian cancer. It is sometimes used following surgery to kill cancer cells which may have been left behind after the operation. Radiotherapy may also be used to shrink secondary tumour that have developed in other parts of the body and are causing pain or other symptoms.
 

GENERAL LOOKOUT
 

Prognostic - wise, the later the stage and the higher the grade of the cancer, the poorer the outlook. On the other hand, there is a good chance of a cure if ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated when the disease is at an early stage; that is when it is still confined to the ovary and has not spread.
 

Unfortunately, most ovarian cancers are not diagnosed at the early stage. This is because symptoms often do not occur until after the cancer has grown quite large or has spread. In this situation, a ‘cure’ is less likely but still possible. Even if a cure is not possible, treatment can often slow down the progression of the cancer.
 

SCREENING
 

Currently, there is no screening test for ovarian cancer that is offered to all women in Nigeria as is the case, to some extent, with cervical cancer. However, researches are underway in advanced medical setting to see if a screening tests being studied are the CA-125 blood test and regular ultrasound scan of the ovaries.