Ovarian Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

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Causes of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the third most common cancer among Thai women, following breast cancer and cervical cancer, with nearly 3,000 new cases diagnosed each year. More than half of affected patients die annually. However, when ovarian cancer is detected at Stage I, the cure rate can be as high as 90%.

Although the exact cause of ovarian cancer remains unknown, it is believed that repeated injury to the ovaries—combined with exposure to carcinogenic factors—may contribute to the development of the disease.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are often subtle and difficult to recognize in the early stages. As a result, many patients are diagnosed only when the disease has already progressed to an advanced stage.

Common symptoms include abdominal bloating, abdominal discomfort, indigestion, and an increase in abdominal size. These symptoms often resemble gastrointestinal conditions, which may lead to delayed diagnosis.

Importance of Regular Screening

Regular gynecological screening is essential, and women are strongly encouraged to undergo annual pelvic examinations. Early detection of an ovarian mass can make treatment more effective and significantly improve the chances of recovery.

Key diagnostic methods include pelvic examinations and detailed physical assessments. If a mass is suspected near the ovaries or uterus, further investigations—such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—may be required. Blood tests to evaluate tumor markers are also commonly used to support the diagnosis.

Stages of Ovarian Cancer

Stage I: Cancer is confined to one or both ovaries.
Stage II: Cancer has spread to the pelvic region.
Stage III: Cancer has spread to the abdominal cavity.
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to the liver or other organs outside the abdominal cavity.

Most patients are diagnosed at Stage III, underscoring the importance of prevention, awareness, and early detection.

Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Treatment for ovarian cancer typically involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, depending on the stage and extent of the disease.

Surgical treatment may include removal of both ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus, surrounding fatty tissue (omentum), and nearby lymph nodes to determine the spread of cancer.

If ovarian cancer is diagnosed at Stage I and the tumor capsule has not ruptured, surgery alone may be sufficient. In more advanced stages, chemotherapy is required to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

Chemotherapy and Its Side Effects

Chemotherapy is an effective treatment for ovarian cancer, with a response rate of approximately 75–80% in advanced-stage cases.

Common side effects include fatigue, increased susceptibility to infections, low white blood cell counts, and reduced platelet levels—primarily due to bone marrow suppression. Advances in supportive care medications have significantly reduced the severity of these side effects.

Hair loss is another common side effect; however, it is usually temporary, and hair typically regrows after chemotherapy is completed.

Follow-Up After Chemotherapy

After completing six cycles of chemotherapy, patients require ongoing follow-up care. This typically includes pelvic examinations, blood tests for tumor markers, and periodic imaging studies such as CT scans.

First 2 years after treatment: Follow-up every 3 months
Years 3–5: Follow-up every 4–6 months
After 5 years: Follow-up intervals may be extended, though regular monitoring remains essential to detect recurrence early

Care at Phyathai Sriracha Hospital

At Phyathai Sriracha Hospital, our experienced team of female obstetricians and gynecologists provides comprehensive care for women at every stage of life—from routine health screenings and early diagnosis to advanced treatment and specialist consultations.