Ovarian Cancer

2 Pages 402 Words

“Ovarian Cancer Staging” written by M. Steven Piver Md. and Gamal Eltabbakh M.D. is about the staging system for Ovarian Cancer. Staging describes how far the ovarian cancer has spread.
Once Ovarian Cancer is suspected, The patient must undergo an operation known as Exploratory Laparotomy. This procedure which by definition, Involves an incision through the abdominal wall- is essential to surgical staging. This type of operation is important for everyone who undergoes treatment for Ovarian Cancer, To ensure that each patient recieves the best possible care. If cancer is detected, The physician will cut away as much of the tumor as possible. The extent of surgery will depend on what type of cancer is found and how far reaching it is. In most women only one Ovary is removed.
I personally do not agree with the way the physician handles the tumor, and neither does my mother who has stage three-c Ovarian Cancer.(four is the highest). The physician wanted to take out just one Ovary, this procedure is known as Unilateral Oophorectomy. My mother had both ovaries taken out, the uterus, fallopian tubes, and the omentum, which is the fatty tissue that covers the bowels. The physician also collected biopsy samples from the lymph nodes, abdominal aorta, and the diaphragm. Finally Peritoneal lavage was conducted to microscopically detect cancer cells in the fluid that is withdrawn.
Every women is at risk for Ovarian Cancer, regardless of age, heritage, or medical history. A womens risk of being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer is 1 in every 55. Every women should undergo an annual Recto-vaginal Examination. To date, No screening tests have shown to be 100% affective. The symptoms are subtle and in many cases the cancer has spread by the time it is found. Staging provides an estimate of disease free survival, and the risk of cancer recurrence. This article was pu...