Statistics and “Staging” of Cancer Cases
It is estimated that in 2013, about 22,000 ovarian cancer cases were diagnosed, and 14,000 women succumbed to the disease. This high mortality rate can be chalked up to initial diagnosis at later stages of the disease. For instance, epithelial ovarian cancer has a 70 to 75 percent of being found in Stage 3 or Stage 4, the most severe state of cancer spread. If this cancer is found in Stage 1 of development, there is a 90 to 95 percent of a possible cure. Unfortunately, this early discovery only happens in one-fifth of cases.
“Staging” is used to describe and classify a tumor based on its invasion of the body’s tissues. In stage one, the cancer is limited to one or both ovaries. Cancer is limited to the pelvic area in stage two. In stage three, cancer is found outside the pelvis but is limited to lymph node or abdominal involvement. At stage four, the disease spreads to the liver or outside the abdomen.
Ovaries and 10 (plus) Signs of Cancer
In case anyone skipped the day in sex education class when the female reproductive system was discussed, read on. The reproductive system mainly comprises the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. We all know the ovaries produce egg cells, but did you know that they also produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone? Most researchers agree that the location of the ovaries makes it very difficult for an early diagnosis of cancer. They are buried deep within the female body, making a detection exam nearly impossible.
Awareness of the signs of ovarian cancer is quite important in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.