Ovarian Cancer Specialist

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer affecting the female reproductive system, more specifically the ovaries. Your ovaries are responsible for producing eggs as well as the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. 

If you have ovarian cancer, the cells in your ovaries have begun to overmultiply and form a tumor. Like other types of cancer, these cancerous cells can eventually spread throughout your body in a process called metastasis. Fortunately, ovarian cancer usually has some signs and symptoms:

• Increased urination
• Low appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Fatigue 
• Back pain
• Pain during sex
  
  

Since these symptoms could indicate many different health issues, and some of them even seem like normal occurrences, ovarian cancer likely isn’t your first thought upon noticing them. However, you should be sure to report these symptoms to your primary care physician or gynecologist, especially if they get worse at certain times. 

Am I at risk for ovarian cancer?

Experts aren’t sure of what exactly causes ovarian cancer, and your behaviors may or may not play a role in its development. Meeting the criteria for certain risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get ovarian cancer, and not having any risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t get the disease. 

Your risk for ovarian cancer may be higher than average because of:

• Menopause
• Fertility drugs or hormone therapy
• Obesity
• Endometriosis
• Pregnancy after 35
• No history of pregnancy
• A family history of ovarian cancer or other types
  
  

Since there’s no specific early detection or screening test for ovarian cancer, you must stay in tune with your body and report any concerns to your physician. 

The Houston Cancer Institute, PA, team can assess or stage your ovarian cancer with tests like CT scans, transvaginal ultrasound imaging, or a tissue biopsy. They also offer genetic testing to take a deeper look at your risk for ovarian cancer. 

What are my treatment options for ovarian cancer?

Your recommended treatment for ovarian cancer depends on its stage and other details of your specific situation. The options available to treat ovarian cancer at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, are:

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works alongside your immune system, which naturally keeps diseases out of your body. It works by blocking a protein on cancer cells that allows them to bypass your body’s defense mechanisms.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment for cancer, available with regular outpatient infusions at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA. It often works well in conjunction with other treatments like surgery or hormone therapy.

Surgery

The surgical removal of one or both of your ovaries may be part of your treatment for ovarian cancer. 

Staging your cancer 

To determine the best treatment for your cancer, the team at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, stages your cancer using state-of-the-art Cat Scan or PET/CT imaging.

The scans show how large the tumor is, how deeply it extends, and whether it's spread to other areas. This will help our team at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA  identify what stage of cancer you have and tailor your treatment plan to that stage for optimal outcomes and recovery. 

An early diagnosis has the best possible outlook for ovarian cancer. To set up your appointment at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, call the nearest office or book online today.