Ovarian cancer Essay

Submitted By amichelleeee
Words: 1248
Pages: 5

1. Neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Neoplasms are also referred to as tumors. Neoplasms have two classifications. The two are benign or malignant. This abnormal mass of tissue has no function. 2. Malignant are conditions that are cancerous. Malignant conditions are usually compared to tumors. Malignant tumors spread to other parts of the body swiftly. They spread through blood and lymph systems. This destroys body tissues or attacks the tissues. 3. Benign is a noncancerous condition. It is the opposite of malignant. This is usually also related to tumors. Benign means that it will not spread to the rest of the body. Also it does not destroy or attack the body tissues. This condition is typically not dangerous or life threatening. Sometimes it can be a dangerous condition. 4. Ovarian cancer is when malignant cells grow beginning in the ovaries. If cancer starts in another spot in the body and spreads to the ovaries, then it is not considered ovarian cancer. These cancer tumors can either be benign or malignant. If ovarian tumors are malignant, they will spread to the other pelvic organs and the abdomen directly. Also it can spread through the bloodstream or lymph nodes and travel to other body parts. The causes of this cancer are not known yet but people believe different things. One theory is that in hormone levels increase when ovulation occurs or while it is occurring causing the growth of abnormal cells. Another theory is the release of the egg each month will cause genetic errors. Symptoms of ovarian cancer are bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or receiving a full sensation swiftly, and an urgency or frequently feeling to urinate. 5. Ovarian cancer attacks the ovaries. The ovaries are reproductive organs that only females have. For reproduction, the ovaries produce the eggs. Females have two ovaries on each side of the uterus. The ovaries have three types of tissue. The types are germ, stromal, and epithelial. 6. Doctors will take different tests to determine if a person has cancer or not. One type of test is imaging. During imaging, the doctors take pictures of the inside of our bodies to see if there are any abnormalities. Another type of test is an endoscopy. An endoscopy is when a small tube with a camera and light on the end is inserted into your body through your mouth. This allows the doctors to take samples of tissue or just to look inside your body. Taking tissue samples are the most accurate way to determine cancer. Doctors can examine the tissue under a microscope this way. Cancer screening is a way to determine cancer that is in one of the early stages. In ovarian cancer a laparotomy has to be performed. This is when cysts or other areas of suspicion have to be removed. After that, the doctors will determine the amount of fluid and cells in the area removed. If the area is cancerous then the doctors have to determine how much the cancer has spread. 7. Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer with the usage of medicines or drugs. Chemotherapy is also called “chemo.” Chemotherapy has been treating cancer since the 1950’s. This is the first time chemo treated cancer. There are over 100 types of chemo drugs used. The different kind of chemo is chosen by what kind of cancer you have and what stage you are in. Chemo can be given by a pill or by liquid. It can also be given in a shot or through an IV. Chemotherapy can be used to keep cancer from spreading, slow down the growth process, kills the cancerous cells, relieves the pain symptoms, or to completely cure the cancer. 8. Radiation is also used to treat cancer. There are multiple kinds of radiation. This kind of treatment kills the cancer cells. It sends high amounts of radiation to the cancerous cells or the tumor. The cells are stopped from growing and reproducing more cancerous cells with this treatment. There is a chance that the