Ovarian cancer usually happens in women over age 40

Ovarian cancer usually happens in women over age 40, but it can also affect younger women. Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from an ovary. The cancer most commonly forms in the lining of the ovary (resulting in epithelial ovarian cancer) or in the egg cells (resulting in a germ cell tumor).

Causes:In most cases, the cause of ovarian cancer remain unknown. Hereditary forms of ovarian cancer can be caused by mutations in specific genes (most notably BRCA1 and BRCA2. Infertile women and those with a condition called endometriosis, those who have never been pregnant and those who use postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy are at increased risk. Women who have never had children are more likely to develop ovarian cancer than women who have had children. Obesity may increase the risk of developing more aggressive types of ovarian tumors.

Symptoms: symptoms are: abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, back pain, urinary urgency, constipation, tiredness and a range of other non-specific symptoms, as well as more specific symptoms such as pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding or involuntary weight loss.Other symptoms are: Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly,fatigue ,menstrual changes, pain during sex ,upset stomach ,heavy feeling in pelvis ,weight gain or loss ,gas, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.

Treatment:Treatment include : Surgery,Radiation Therapy,Chemotherapy,Gene Therapy and hormone Therapy. Drugs used for the treatment of overian cancer are: Cisplatin(Platinol®),Carboplatin(paraplatin®),Paclitaxel(Taxol®),Melphalan(Alkeran®),Doxorubicin(Adiamycine®,Rubex®),Doxorubicin HCI lipsome injection(Doxil®),Altretamine,hexamethlymelamine(Hexalen®),Topotecan hydrochloride(Hyccamtin),Ifosfamide(Ifex®),Etoposide(VP-16)(VePesid®),5-fluorouracil(5-FU).

Prevention: The prevention of ovarian cancer is still under investigation. The use of oral contraceptives (OCs; birth control pills) can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 40% to 50%. The risk of ovarian cancer is decreased in women who undergo tubal ligation after childbearing. Dietary, medification and exercise, pregnancy and breast-feeding, genetic counseling, ovary removal etc.are other preventive methods.

Alternative Treatment:Alternative treatment include:Homeopathic medicine,Botanical medicine,Physical medicine,Naturopathic medicine,Chinese medicine,Psychological medicine etc.Homeopathy plays an important role. Herbs and nutritional supplements help to improve health.Naturopathic medicine has its own methods of therapeutic manipulation of muscles, bones, and spine.Chinese medicine is a healing philosophy that naturally complements naturopathic medicine. Acupuncture is a technique that can help stimulate the immune system and the healing response Counseling, yoga, exercise, massaging, nutritional balancing, stress management, hypnotherapy, biofeedback and other therapies are used to help patients heal psychologically.

Links:

http://www.umm.edu

http://www.cancer.org/

http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/

http://www.cancercenter.com/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.oncologychannel.com/

http://www.healthscout.com

http://www.ucsfhealth.org

http://www.imaginis.com/