Ovarian epithelial cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer are diseases in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissue covering the ovary or lining the fallopian tube or peritoneum. The peritoneum is the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers organs in the abdomen. Primary peritoneal cancer is cancer that forms in the peritoneum and has not spread there from another part of the body. Cancer sometimes begins in the peritoneum and spreads to the ovary.
Signs & Symptoms
Ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer may not cause early signs or symptoms. When signs or symptoms do appear, the cancer is often advanced. Signs and symptoms may include the following:
- Pain, swelling, or a feeling of pressure in the abdomen or pelvis
- Vaginal bleeding that is heavy or irregular, especially after menopause
- Vaginal discharge that is clear, white, or colored with blood
- A lump in the pelvic area
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as gas, bloating, or constipation
These signs and symptoms also may be caused by other conditions and not by ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer. If the signs or symptoms get worse or do not go away on their own, check with your doctor so that any problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Treatment
Your OHC doctor will help you determine the best care plan for you.
- Surgery: Most patients have surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
- Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
- Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.
New treatments are being tested, including radiation therapy to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing and immunotherapy, which uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer.
