Types of ovarian cancer

There are three types of ovarian cancer: primary, metastatic and secondary. Primary cancer is characterized by the fact that it affects both ovaries at once. The tumor has a bumpy surface, is quite dense, usually small or medium. The morphological structure is glandular cancer, which is based on foci of squamous epithelium. Usually affects women under 30 years of age.

Metastatic occurs when a woman is already ill with any type of cancer, especially stomach cancer. From there, cancer cells are brought through the bloodstream. It develops very quickly and is more malignant. Usually, both ovaries are affected at once. Dense, lumpy ulcers are formed.

Secondary ovarian cancer develops from cysts – benign formations of various sizes. They contain a large amount of mucous fluid. A benign tumor develops into a malignant one if papillary growths appear inside the cysts.

Very rare types of ovarian cancer include granulosa cell, clear cell, adenoblastoma, Brenner tumor, dysgerminoma, stromal tumor, and teratocastroma.

Serous ovarian cancer

Serous ovarian cancer is a large cluster of malignant neoplasms that develop from the epithelium. That is, the tumor appears from those epithelial tissues that have become malignant or degenerated. To date, the cause of this process has not yet been found. There are, however, three theories that have been put forward by oncologists:

1. The tumor is formed from the integumentary epithelium, that is, the tissues that are on the surface of the ovaries degenerate.
2. Because of the rudimentary remains of the primary sexual organs that remain after the standard organs have formed in the female body.
3. Imported epithelium that comes to the ovaries from the uterus or fallopian tubes.

Today, there are several types of serous ovarian cancer:

1. Papillary and standard adenocarcinoma.
2. Adenofibroma.
3. Papillary carcinoma of the superficial type.
4. Serous cystoma of papillary type.

Different types of serous cancer are treated with different medications.

Epithelial ovarian cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer is formed from the mesothelium – the epithelium that is located on the surface of this female organ. Usually, this type affects only one ovary and rarely spreads to the opposite one. In this case, the tumor progresses so slowly that it is very difficult to diagnose. According to statistics, 75% of patients learned about their disease at a late stage, when treatment is quite difficult.

Epithelial ovarian cancer develops in women after 50 years of age. It is the most common (99% of cases).

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Mucinous ovarian cancer

Mucinous ovarian cancer is diagnosed more often in those who have had or are suffering from uterine fibroids, had an ectopic pregnancy or inflammation of the appendages. Usually, when such a tumor develops, no changes in the menstrual cycle are observed (97%). The main symptoms include:

1. The abdomen increases in volume.
2. Painful sensations appear in the abdominal area.
3. Urination becomes more frequent.

Depending on the stage of the disease, symptoms may appear or disappear, or may intensify.

Metastatic ovarian cancer

This form of ovarian cancer is formed from tumors in other organs that are located nearby. Usually, with the blood, cancer cells enter one or two ovaries from the abdominal cavity or uterus. All formations of this type are designated as stage 4. There are such ways through which cancer penetrates the ovaries:

1. Lymphogenous-retrograde.
2. Hematogenous (if the tumor is located too far away).
3. Implantation-transperitoneal.

Metastatic ovarian cancer accounts for 20% of all cases of cancer in this area. It usually affects women aged forty to fifty. The tumor can be quite large. If both ovaries are affected, the left one is always more severely affected. The tumor is oval in shape and has a lobular structure. It usually stands on a stalk. It is quite soft in consistency.

Clear cell ovarian cancer

This type of cancer is quite rare. Usually, the tumor is combined with endometriosis. Doctors do not know exactly what causes clear cell ovarian cancer, but they assume that it develops from the Mullerian epithelium. As a rule, this form of cancer affects only one ovary. The tumor looks like a cyst. It can metastasize quite quickly, so the prognosis for cancer treatment is not good. Often, clear cell testicular cancer develops together with adenofibroma.

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Glandular ovarian cancer

Glandular ovarian cancer is a fairly common form of malignant tumor that develops in this female organ. According to statistics, among all pathologies of such types, this cancer is diagnosed in 40% of cases. The tumor size is quite large, sometimes even huge. Cancer can quickly spread to other organs.

Another name for glandular cancer is ovarian adenocarcinoma. The tumor develops because various epithelial tissues begin to grow. Why this happens is still unknown. But doctors note that women who are obese, use oral contraceptives or are infertile are more likely to fall into the risk group. Early stages of glandular ovarian cancer occur without any distinctive symptoms, so it is important to undergo an ultrasound of the pelvic organs at least once a day. Some patients experience a change in the menstrual cycle, which becomes quite irregular. The disease usually develops in women after menopause or immediately before it begins.

Papillary ovarian cancer

Papillary ovarian cancer differs from other types in that the tumor develops from a cilioepithelial cyst, which is also called papillary. Papillary cancer usually develops on both sides, but there are also unilateral tumors. This type of malignant tumor is very difficult to diagnose. As a rule, it develops in elderly women.

Secondary ovarian cancer

Secondary ovarian cancer is one of the most common types. It accounts for 85% of all cases of cancer in this organ. The main characteristic is that the tumor grows from benign formations. As a rule, these are mucinous cysts or serous papillaries. Usually, secondary ovarian cancer can be isolated, but can consist of several nodes.

Undifferentiated ovarian cancer

Undifferentiated ovarian cancer is one of the least common. Only in 1% of cases the doctor makes such a diagnosis. Such carcinoma has no special symptoms, so it is difficult to diagnose.

Borderline ovarian cancer

Borderline ovarian cancer is an epithelial tumor that rarely develops into a malignant tumor. When an ultrasound examination is performed, such cancer is difficult to distinguish from an invasive type of tumor. To see the difference between these types of cancer, a biopsy is needed. Borderline ovarian cancer is treated only surgically. If a woman has already given birth, she may have her uterus removed or her fallopian tubes ligated. The danger of this type of tumor is that it often spreads to the tissues of other organs.

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Papillary ovarian cancer

The mortality rate for papillary ovarian cancer is quite high, so this disease is considered very serious. The main difference is the fact that the tumor has a distinctive structure. Inside there is a special capsule, which consists of papillae and fluid. Papillaries also have small growths that are covered with cylindrical or cubic epithelium. Very often, papillary ovarian cancer is confused with other types.

Squamous cell ovarian cancer

Squamous cell ovarian cancer develops from cysts, especially from dermoid cysts. First of all, it should be said that dermoid cysts are always benign, but under the influence of causes that have not yet been established, they degenerate into malignant tumors. Usually, development occurs in a small number of women (1-2%) after menopause. Squamous cell ovarian cancer is diagnosed late and quite difficult. Often, women come to the doctor when they experience an unpleasant "squeezing" in the lower abdomen. To cure this type of tumor, radical surgery is used. If the cancer has affected only the ovaries, the prognosis is often quite comforting.

Anaplastic ovarian cancer

Anaplastic ovarian cancer is quite rare. It is diagnosed in only 2-3% of cases. It differs in the histological structure of the tumor. It can be either large-cell or small-cell.

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Inoperable ovarian cancer

The question of whether ovarian cancer is operable is quite complex. The answer can only be obtained after the abdominal cavity has been cut. In this case, it does not matter how much the tumor has grown, how much ascites it has, or whether it is mobile or not. There are cases when a mobile ovarian cancer tumor was completely removed, and one that seemed immobile during examination could not be operated on because it was connected to the intestine or another adjacent organ. In medical practice, unfortunately, the second type is more common. Inoperable ovarian cancer cannot be removed surgically. But do not despair, because there are various treatment methods that have helped some patients. For example, fungotherapy (treatment with mushrooms) has recently become popular, although it is more palliative in nature.

Ovarian cancer after childbirth

It often happens that ovarian cancer begins to develop after childbirth. In this case, a woman must remember that breastfeeding is strictly prohibited. In the early stages, it is very difficult to diagnose cancer, since its symptoms are very similar to the development of benign tumors. Note that there is no disruption to the menstrual cycle. The first subjective signs appear after the tumor has significantly increased in size. Among them are:

1. A nagging pain in the lower abdomen that occurs periodically.
2. Frequent diarrhea or, conversely, constipation.
3. Frequent urge to urinate.
4. The lower limbs swell periodically.

Often, ovarian cancer develops after childbirth due to excessive production of hormones.

Diagnosis of this type of tumor occurs infrequently, only in extremely rare cases. Only an oncologist can make an accurate diagnosis, who must perform the following manipulations:

1. A method of digital examination through the vagina or anus.
2. Ultrasound of female genital organs, endocrine system, mammary glands and abdominal cavity.
3. Determining the location of the tumor using computed tomography.
4. The type and boundaries of cancer are determined by magnetic resonance imaging.
5. Establishing preliminary diagnostics.
6. Taking a small amount of pathological tissue for testing.

The most advanced method for detecting cancer cells today is biopsy.

Ovarian cancer after childbirth undergoes complex treatment, which includes surgery, chemotherapy and ionizing radiation.