What is Ovarian Cancer?
An ovary is one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed. Ovarian cancer forms in tissues of the ovary.
Cancer cells sometimes can travel to other parts of the body where they begin to grow and replace normal tissue. This process, called metastasis, occurs as the cancer cells move into the bloodstream or lymph vessels of our body.
As a rule, tumors in the ovary are named for the kinds of cells the tumor started from and whether the tumor is benign or cancerous. There are 3 main types of tumors:
Epithelial tumors: These tumors start from the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary. Most ovarian tumors are epithelial cell tumors.
Germ cell tumors: These start from the cells that produce the eggs.
Stromal tumors: These start from cells that hold the ovary together and make the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer symptoms may vary by patient and when present, the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach or heartburn
- Back pain
- Pain during sex
- Constipation or menstrual changes
Traditional treatment options for Ovarian Cancer
There are various treatment options for Ovarian Cancer depending on the stage of the cancer but may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Utopia Wellness’ Intensive Medical Program for Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer is a very stressful diagnosis and your Utopia Wellness team understands this. We work with you to design a customized holistic plan to ensure you have the most effective alternative treatments for your specific cancer.
