Ovarian cancer is a group of malignant tumors that develop in its various tissues. The most common type of the disease occurs on the surface of the body. There are several types of epithelial cancer: undifferentiated, serous, mucinous, endometroid, clear cell.
There are some aspects, affecting on the development of this type of cancer:
- Hereditary factors: the disease in the family.
- Age: after 50 years.
- The lack of labor.
- Breast cancer and bowel cancer.
- Long-term use of hormones - estrogen replacement therapy.
Symptoms of the disease
Naturally, the treatment of ovarian cancer in Israel should start as soon as possible. In order to be able in time to seek the assistance of experts, the symptoms of this disease need to know every woman. Cancer symptoms often disguised as diseases of the bladder or the gastrointestinal tract. The main symptom of cancer is the aggravation of the clinical manifestations and their constant presence. The most common clinical picture is following:
- feeling of overeating or bloating;
- frequent urination;
- pelvic pain.
- flatulence, and nausea;
- abrupt changes of stool;
- loss of appetite;
- loss of body weight;
- pain during intercourse;
- constant weakness.
A characteristic feature of the disease is the presence of blood in the sputum and stool.
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer in Israel
There are such procedures required for treatment of ovarian cancer in Israeli hospitals:
- Gynecological examination: examination of uterus, vagina, ovaries, bladder, rectum.
- Doppler - ultrasonography of the reproductive system.
- CT, MRI, PET-CT (or). These procedures are also used to check the results of treatment.
- Laboratory diagnosis: detailed blood tests. Analysis of hormone CA-125 reveals a malignant tumor.
- Biopsy.
- Consultation of gynecologist-oncologist.
Specialists use three main types of therapies: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy. The choice of treatment for ovarian cancer program in Israel is due to stage of disease, histologic tumor type, age of the patient, the general state of health. Quite often used complex therapy, which is a combination of several types of treatment (radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy) and gives excellent results.
Treatment of ovarian cancer in Israel, depending on the stage
Stage I
The ovaries, fallopian tubes, omentectomy (complete or partial removal of the gland) are removed during abdominal hysterectomy. The specialists also take samples of tissues for histological test.
If the disease struck one ovary, it is removed with fallopian tube without hysterectomy. When the cancer has a low degree of progression, than treatment is completed, if not – the combination of chemotherapeutic drugs is assigned.
Stage II
Hysterectomy is performed, bilateral removal of the appendages, the nearby lymph nodes are removed. The tumor is removed as much as possible in the abdomen, the operation is called «debulking» operation. This is a fairly complex surgery and requires the work of a highly qualified specialist.
In some cases is removed part of the intestine, if the tumor penetrated to the body and blocks it, in this case are combined the two parts of intestine. In rare cases if it is not possible, then the upper end of the bowel is displayed on the outside of the stomach and creates a stoma for fecal excretion.
After surgery the specialist may assign chemotherapy or combined treatment - radiotherapy plus chemotherapy.
Stage III
Surgical treatment is similar to treatment which is applied in stage II. After surgery, chemotherapy can be performed or additional surgery.
Stage IV
The operation is performed + chemotherapy before and after surgery.
Chemotherapeutic treatment
Chemotherapeutic treatment of ovarian cancer uses cytotoxic drugs that destroy cancer cells: with a dropper into the vein, the oral route, and in the abdominal cavity. Intravenous chemotherapy lasts for several hours, this is followed by a rest period of several weeks. In most cases are carried out six chemotherapy cycles. This type of treatment takes 4 - 5 months. Because chemotherapy has significant effect on the hematopoietic system of the patient, Israeli scientists have created a unique dietary supplement that helps to reduce the manifestations of neutropenia, anemia and other side effects.
Generally, chemotherapy for ovarian cancer treatment is given after surgery to prevent the recurrence of disease.
Preoperative chemotherapy which reduces the tumor is called neoadjuvant. After 3-4 cycles, the specialists perform CT scan, which shows the results of therapy. At this stage, specialists make a decision to perform the operation. If the operation is performed, the remaining 2-3 cycle of chemotherapy are assigned after surgery.
When metastases have spread to the abdominal cavity and on the liver, chemotherapy is the primary treatment for ovarian cancer. Its purpose is to reduce swelling, alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Often are used in the treatment the cytotoxic drugs: Carboplatin, Taxol. Also may be assigned: Hycamtin, Doxil, Caelyx, Gemzar, Taxotere.
Biological treatment of ovarian cancer
Studies have shown the efficacy of a biological treatment with Avastin, which prevents the development of tumors.
Radiation therapy
Radiotherapy is the additional method to treat cancer. In stage I and II, if the tumor is localized in the pelvis without penetrating the abdominal cavity after surgery can be administered radiotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence of disease. The course lasts for 3-4 weeks, 5 times per week.
Radiotherapy also is used to reduce swelling and relieve symptoms that is palliative treatment that may include from 1 to 10 courses.
Treatment is carried out by very famous in Israel professor David Schneider.
For more interesting information on ovarian cancer treatment in Israel, contact center «Isramedic».
