Definition
The ovarian tumor originates in the female reproductive organs (gonads), deputies to the production of the egg cells. Three types of ovarian tumors are distinguished:
- Germinal ovarian tumors: 5% of the ovarian cancer. Typical tumors of the infant and adolescent period
- Epithelial ovarian tumors: 90% of ovarian neoplasms. Originate from the epithelial cells of the egg
- Stromal ovarian tumors: 4% of cancers of the ovary. Originate from the stroma of the gonads.
Causes
There is no precise and unambiguous cause at the base of ovarian cancer; rather, it is possible to identify the major risk factors involved in the onset of this complex malignant neoplasm: age over 40, infertility (not associated with anovulation), early menarche, late menopause, genetic predisposition for ovarian cancer, breast cancer, previous history of endometriosis, Caucasian race.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, ovarian cancer does not begin with particular symptoms: what has been stated represents a serious problem for the early diagnosis of the tumor, so that sick women run the risk that the tumor is diagnosed too late. Ovarian cancer begins with symptoms comparable to those of mild bladder / intestinal diseases: aerophagia, irregular menstrual cycle, diarrhea, difficulty digestion, dyspareunia, abdominal bloating, nausea, tendency to urinate often.
Information on Ovarian Cancer - Drugs for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Ovarian Cancer - Ovarian Cancer Treatment Drugs.
drugs
Early detection of ovarian cancer is essential to increase the chances of survival for the sick woman; as we have seen, early diagnosis is heavily hindered by asymptomaticity - or in any case by the non-specificity of symptoms - linked to the onset of the disease.
As soon as ovarian cancer is discovered, the woman will have to undergo surgery as soon as possible, which is essential to allow therapeutic staging. Clearly, surgical treatment will be more or less radical, depending on the severity of the cancer.
More or less drastic surgical options based on the extension of the neoplasm:
- Total hysterectomy: removal of the uterus
- Salpingo-oophorectomy: excision of the ovaries and fallopian tubes (salpingi)
- Partial removal of the omentum: (the serous layer that covers the abdominal and pelvic cavity)
- Removal of lymph nodes or other tissues in the abdomen
After surgery, the woman with cancer is generally treated with chemotherapy drugs, in order to destroy any malignant cells, which were not removed during surgery. The sick woman can also use chemotherapy in case of relapses.
- Carboplatin (eg. Paraplatin, Carboplatin PFZ, Carboplatin TEVA) the chemotherapeutic drug is used for the treatment of ovarian cancer as monotherapy, especially for recurrent forms. The recommended dosage is 360 mg / m2 intravenously, to be repeated on the same day every 4 weeks. It is also possible to administer the drug in association with cyclophosphamide (eg Endoxan Baxter): in this case, the pharmacological combination is indicated to treat advanced ovarian cancer (carboplatin: 300 mg / m2 intravenously, to be repeated in the same day every 4 weeks + cyclophosphamide: 600 mg / m2 for IV, to be repeated every 4 weeks, on the same day, for 6 cycles).
- Paclitaxel (eg Paxene, Abraxane) class: taxanes. Used for the treatment of ovarian cancer in the advanced stage, ie when the diseased cells have gone beyond the ovary. Often the drug is used in combination with cisplatin. Generally, the drug is taken at a dose of 175 mg / m2 IV (3-hour infusion), every 3 weeks, followed by a dose of cisplatin; alternatively, take 135 mg / m2 for 24 hours, every 3 weeks, followed by cisplatin. If the patient had already been treated with these two drugs for an old ovarian cancer, it is recommended to maintain the same posology just described, avoiding the association with cisplatin.
- Doxorubicin (eg Adriblastina, Caelyx, Doxorubicin ACC, Myocet) the anticancer drug is generally prescribed for patients with advanced ovarian cancer, especially if treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, which are no longer able to carry out its therapeutic activity. Initial dose: 40-60 mg / m2 ev every 3-4 weeks (so that the disease does not get worse).
- Melphalan (eg Alkeran, coated tablets or solution for injection) the chemotherapy drug is used for the treatment of ovarian cancer (in particular for epithelial types), at a dosage of 0.2 mg / kg per day for 5 days, in doses single, repeated every 4-5 weeks.
- Bevacizumab (Avastin) the recommended dose for ovarian cancer is 15 mg per pound of body weight every 3 weeks.
- Topotecan (Topotecan Teva, Topotecan actavis, Potactasol, Hycamtin, Topotecan hospira) particularly indicated for the treatment of ovarian stage metastatic cancer, after the failure of other chemotherapy drugs. It is recommended to take the drug at a dose of 1.5 mg / m2 for 30 minutes intravenous infusion, for 5 consecutive days. Repeat the cycle every 21 days (counting from the day you start taking the drug). In the absence of tumor progression, usually 4 cycles of therapy are needed.
- Cisplatin (eg Cisplatin ACC, Platamine, Pronto Platamine) it is recommended to take 100 mg / m2 ev every 4 weeks, due to the metastatic stage of ovarian cancer. A dose of 75-100 mg / m2 can be taken in combination with other chemotherapy drugs such as cyclophosphamide. The drug is also indicated in cases of ovarian cancer: the dosage is 60-90 mg / m2 in two liters of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, intraperitoneally.
For the prevention of allergic forms, before starting treatment with chemotherapy, ovarian cancer patients are generally treated with corticosteroids and antiallergics. Furthermore, since chemotherapy drugs tend to cause stomach acid, patients can take antacid drugs (H2 antagonists).
In case of ascertained ovarian cancer, it is possible to use radiotherapy, even if its use is often limited to bone and lymph node metastases, for purely palliative purposes.
