Ovarian Cancer

What is Cancer?

A cancer is an uncontrolled proliferation of cells; in all cancers the cells never stop dividing. Mitosis: Cancerous cells are clones of each other; daughter cells carry the same deleterious mutation(s). Mutations in genes that are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the cell's genome, e.g., DNA repair genes/ tumor suppressor genes: p53 and BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutations. Malignant tumors that dont stop growing (invade surrounding tissue) and metastasize. Metastasis in other organs leads to death(breaks off and starts a new tumor elsewhere). Why is it easy for cancer cells to colonize other organs? The stem cell theory of cancer: Cancer cells arise in precursor cells stem cells of the tissue.

What is Ovarian Cancer?

All women are at risk for ovarian cancer, but older women are at higher risk. Each year, about 20,000 women in the United States get ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among women in the United States, and the fifth leading cause of cancer death. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system, but it accounts for only about 3% of all cancers in women.

What causes Ovarian cancer?

Incessant Ovulation hypothesis: Age & reproductive history: Older women who have never been pregnant. Family history: Family history of breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer; Inherited mutations in tumor suppressor genes. Mutations in the simple cuboidal cells in the germinal epithelium or germ cells: Normal epithelial cells have rapid turnover. Cancer cells: Initially undifferentiated/stem cells, reduced apoptosis , prolonged survival, rapid replication, evasion of recognition by the immune system, induction of angiogenesis, and invasion of the basement membrane. Mutations: P53:Normally promotes either cell cycle arrest and initiation of repair mechanisms or initiates apoptosis of damaged cell. BRCA1/BRCA2: Normally produces tumor suppressor proteins; These proteins help repair damaged DNA and, therefore, play a role in ensuring the stability of the cells genetic material. Estrogen and hormone therapy

Case Study
Abdominal pain and bloating Unusual vaginal bleeding; heavy periods Fatigue

Chemical
Genetic

Endocrine

Cellular

Cellular: Immune System Involvement

Tissue

Organ

MRI, CT Scan

Ultrasound