Is ovarian cancer hereditary?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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The onset of ovarian cancer may be somewhat related to family history or genetic factors. Therefore, patients with a family history of ovarian cancer may have a higher risk of developing the disease compared to the general population. However, this doesn't mean that a patient with ovarian cancer will definitely pass the condition to their offspring; it merely indicates a certain level of heredity. Furthermore, for those with a family history of breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer, it is crucial for their descendants to undergo enhanced screenings for ovarian cancer and these diseases, as their risk of developing these conditions may be higher than that of the average person.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is one of the common gynecological malignancies in women. In the early stages, symptoms are not common and are not severe. The typical symptoms mainly manifest as pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen, and some patients may feel bloating in the lower abdomen. Some patients experience an increase in vaginal discharge, some have vaginal drainage or abnormal vaginal bleeding, and others may observe abnormal changes in their menstrual cycle, such as prolonged periods or increased menstrual flow, while some may experience reduced menstruation. Besides these, there are no other symptoms in early-stage ovarian cancer patients. As the disease progresses, the patient's abdominal pain and bloating will significantly worsen, indicating that the disease has advanced to the middle or late stages.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Early treatment methods for ovarian cancer

The treatment methods for early-stage ovarian cancer should first and foremost include a clear diagnosis and staging. If the staging indicates an early stage, then surgical treatment can be applied. There are many surgical options available, such as cytoreductive surgery, interval debulking surgery, second-look laparotomy, and direct tumor cell reduction surgery. After the surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy can be administered for treatment.

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Written by Wu Xia
Oncology
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Ovarian cancer is not contagious.

Ovarian cancer is not contagious and is not considered a communicable disease, so rest assured, it is not transmissible. Therefore, if there is a patient with ovarian cancer in the family, there is no need to worry about it spreading to others. However, ovarian cancer is more susceptible in populations with a family history of the disease, so if there is a history of ovarian cancer in the family, there is a tendency for it to occur. Additionally, there are many factors that contribute to the cause of ovarian cancer, such as toxin exposure, certain viral infections in everyday life, and lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking, which also play a role. Age is also a significant factor, as the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer increases with age. Patients with ovarian cancer, due to some hereditary genetic factors in their families, should pay special attention and be more vigilant about getting regular medical check-ups if there is a family history.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Can ovarian cancer that has spread still be cured?

If ovarian cancer has spread, it is generally considered to be at an advanced stage. The treatment for advanced ovarian cancer primarily involves chemotherapy. Epithelial cancer, the most common type of ovarian cancer, is particularly sensitive to chemotherapy. Most patients benefit from chemotherapy. However, once ovarian cancer has spread and is not caught at a very early stage, even with treatments like chemotherapy, it cannot be cured. The purpose of treatment at this stage is to alleviate the patient's pain and extend their survival, but it cannot be cured.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer patients, especially those in the early stages, typically have inconspicuous symptoms, possibly without any noticeable discomfort. The disease is often discovered during gynecological examinations through the detection of abdominal masses. In advanced-stage patients, as the abdominal mass progressively enlarges, symptoms may include abdominal pain, lower abdominal bloating, and pelvic pressure symptoms due to compression of nearby organs. There may be partial intestinal obstruction, presenting as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and inability to pass stool or gas. Another symptom is ascites, characterized by progressive enlargement and bloating of the abdomen. Ascites is a common clinical manifestation in ovarian cancer patients, and a significant portion of patients are diagnosed with ovarian cancer after presenting with ascites as the initial symptom.