How do you fight against something that cannot be seen with the naked eye or felt until it has taken over almost entirely? Being one of the deadliest cancers in women, Ovarian Cancer often goes undetected until advanced stages. That grows gradually and explodes one fine day, when fighting it or emerging as a winner against cancer is too far-fetched. Ovarian cancer is a growing global concern. By 2050, the number of women diagnosed each year is expected to rise by over 55% to around 503,448, while deaths are projected to increase by nearly 70% to about 350,956 annually. If nothing changes, more than eight million women worldwide could die from ovarian cancer by 2050, with the majority of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries where 70% of patients live.
Ovarian Cancer is not deadly because we don’t have enough treatments – it is because ovarian cancer often whispers when it should scream. The early signs of Ovarian cancer are bloating, backache, and diarrhea, which are so common that they are usually ignored until it is too late. But our ray of hope is the breakthrough that can rewrite this story. In a celebrated study, researchers at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Science) found that removing specific lymph nodes after chemotherapy can increase the survival rates in women fighting against advanced Ovarian cancer. During an era when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is opening new doors to cancer treatment, this discovery is truly what we needed. But what exactly is Ovarian Cancer? Why is it so dangerous? And how could removing lymph nodes make such a big difference? Let’s explore.
What Is Ovarian Cancer?
The name itself suggests that Ovarian Cancer is the cancer that starts in the ovaries – the small organs on either side of the uterus responsible for producing eggs and hormones like estrogen and progesterone in females. There are several types of ovarian cancer,
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Epithelial Ovarian Cancer:
About 90% of the cases are of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. It starts in the thin layer covering the ovary called the Epithelium. Often diagnosed at the later stage because early symptoms are common.
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Germ Cell Tumors:
This type of cancer arises from the cells that produce eggs and is more common in teenagers and young women. Unlike other cancers, it is typically diagnosed early and has a high rate of treatment success.
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Stromal Cell Tumors:
They develop from the connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together and are responsible for producing hormones.
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Small Cell Carcinomas and Other Rare Types:
Extremely rare cases of ovarian cancer and are often difficult to deal with.
With all these types, the most deadly and challenging part of Ovarian cancer is that it spreads quietly, gradually moving towards the nearby tissues such as the fallopian tubes, uterus, and even abdominal organs without any evident signs.
What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
As said already, if you are looking for any dramatic signs that would scream CANCER, you are delusional. The symptoms of Ovarian Cancer are so common that one day you’ll mistake it for period cramps, and the next day, your world comes crashing down. Here is what you should keep an eye out for –
Please note that it is never about experiencing these symptoms occasionally. It is, in fact, about patterns, the frequency of these symptoms, their persistence for weeks, and their failure to subside. When the cancer transitions stages in a patient, the pain, fatigue, uneasiness, weight loss, and bloating increase, and the pain keeps getting worse and unbearable. Therefore, if you feel anything unusual, consult your doctor. It is always better to look for ways to prevent such a deadly disease and consult a healthcare professional, rather than waiting for these symptoms to fade away over time until it is too late.
How Can Ovarian Cancer Be Detected?
Early detection of cancer can truly make or take away your life. The chances of winning a battle against cancer increase with the decrease in detection time. Here’s what doctors may do to diagnose cancer in a female –
- Pelvic Exam: The doctor slightly inserts 2-3 gloved fingers in the female’s vagina simultaneously pressing the abdomen to palpate the pelvic organs and look for any abnormalities that may be there. The doctor also examines your cervix and genitalia externally.
- CT or MRI Scans: CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans are like super-detailed photo sessions of your body. A CT scan uses X-rays to take many pictures from different angles, while an MRI uses strong magnets and radio waves. Both help doctors see if cancer has spread beyond the ovaries and where it might be hiding, by creating clear, cross-sectional images of your insides.
- Ovarian Cancer Blood Test (CA-125): The CA-125 blood test checks for a special protein that is often higher in women with ovarian cancer. It’s like sending a blood sample to the lab to see if this “alarm” protein is ringing. However, having high CA-125 doesn’t always mean cancer – other things like periods, pregnancy, or infections can also raise it. Therefore, it is used in conjunction with other tests, not alone.
- Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVUS): A transvaginal ultrasound is a special kind of ultrasound where a small device, shaped a bit like a wand, is gently placed inside the vagina. This helps doctors get much closer pictures of the ovaries and uterus. Because it’s so close, the images are more transparent, making it easier to spot small changes that might not be visible from outside the body.
- Genetic Testing: Genetic testing is like reading the instruction manual of your body — your DNA — to identify any errors that could cause problems. Two important genes, called BRCA1 and BRCA2, help repair damage in your cells. But if these genes have changes (mutations), they don’t work properly, and the risk of getting cancers like ovarian and breast cancer goes up. Genetic counseling and testing for these mutations can help assess risk and guide preventive strategies. Doctors can take a small sample of your blood or saliva, send it to a lab, and check if you have any changes in these genes. Knowing this helps you and your doctor make better decisions about your health and future care.
- Surgery: When doctors suspect ovarian cancer, they often recommend surgery to find out for sure and to stop the cancer from spreading. During the operation, they usually start by removing one ovary and checking it to see if cancer cells are present. If cancer is found, the surgeon may then remove both ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, nearby tissues, and sometimes even a thin layer of fat inside the belly called the omentum — wherever the cancer might have traveled. This careful process helps doctors determine the extent of the cancer’s spread and plan the next steps in treatment.
Pro tip –
You cannot test for cancer at home, but you can –
- Stay alert and track any changes.
- Consult a doctor if symptoms such as bloating, uneasiness, and feeling full persist for more than three weeks.
- Beware of your family history. With any past cases of ovarian or breast cancer in your family, you might be at higher risk.
Is Ovarian Cancer Common & Hereditary?
Ovarian Cancer is definitely not rare, but we cannot say it is common either. In the US, the chances of a woman getting Ovarian cancer in her lifetime are about 1 in 78. However, one must keep a check on one’s family history of cancer. 10%-15% of cases of Ovarian Cancer are hereditary, caused by inherited genetic mutations. If your mother, sister, or grandmother had ovarian or breast cancer, you might be at a higher risk, and genetic testing could help you understand your chances better.
With all the discoveries being made in the field of cancer treatment, we can hope for the best to happen. Let us now discuss the study conducted by AIIMS and see whether Lymph Node Removal can be a game-changer for patients struggling with Ovarian Cancer.
AIIMS Study – What Does It Say?
Researchers at AIIMS Delhi studied 105 women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer who had already undergone chemotherapy. These women had systematic surgical removal of lymph nodes from the pelvis and the back of the abdomen (para-aortic region). The idea was to remove residual cancer cells that chemotherapy might not have fully killed.
How they did it:
- They analysed women who had lymph node removal after chemotherapy.
- The surgery was complex because the lymph nodes are close to major blood vessels, requiring highly skilled surgeons.
Result and Stats:
- The study further observed a 48.9% 5-year survival rate in patients who had lymph node removal post-chemotherapy, highlighting the potential benefit of this surgical approach
- 255 women with ovarian cancer had surgery at IRCH (AIIMS Cancer Centre) between 2012 and 2018, but only 105 with advanced-stage disease were studied for this specific lymph node removal analysis.
Key takeaway:
- Surgically removing lymph nodes even after chemotherapy significantly improves survival chances for women with advanced ovarian cancer, even though the surgery is technically challenging.
Can Lymph Node Removal Be a New Weapon?
Here’s where science brings new hope. The AIIMS study revealed that removing lymph nodes, small, bean-shaped structures that filter out harmful substances, after chemotherapy can significantly increase survival rates.
Why does this matter?
Because even when chemotherapy kills most cancer cells, some microscopic cancer cells may hide inside the lymph nodes. By removing these nodes, doctors eliminate cancer’s secret hiding places. Recent data indicate that the overall 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is about 50.8%. However, if the cancer is caught early, before it spreads, the 5-year survival rate can be over 90%. With newer techniques, such as lymph node removal, these survival rates are expected to improve. Now you might be thinking if there is a way to prevent Ovarian Cancer from happening.
Can the HPV Vaccine Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
No, it cannot. The HPV vaccine protects against cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers, but not ovarian cancer. Still, it’s essential for overall gynecological health and is highly recommended. Even though we have no magic bullet to prevent Ovarian Cancer, here are some things we can do to reduce the risk –
- Healthy lifestyle: Balanced diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Oral contraceptives: Long-term use (5+ years) can lower the risk by up to 50%.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: These are believed to offer some protection.
- Risk-reducing surgery: In very high-risk women (those with BRCA mutations), preventive removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes may be considered.
Conclusion
Ovarian cancer is a formidable enemy — but it is not invincible. Thanks to new research, medical advances, and the resilience of women everywhere, the battlefield is changing. From early detection to lymph node removal after chemotherapy, every small victory brings us closer to a world where a diagnosis of ovarian cancer isn’t a death sentence, but a challenge you need to accept like a warrior that you are.
