Ovarian Cancer

Chapter 4: Ovarian Cancer

Overview:

• Identifies the types of ovarian cancer, their risk factors and incidence
• Informs on the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer
• Includes a tabulated summary of the various stages of ovarian cancer and possible management plans
• Guides on how to live with ovarian cancer
• Addresses common palliative concerns

Description:

Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of death from gynaecological cancer in the developed world. The ‘silent’ behaviour of ovarian cancer makes early detection difficult. Ovarian cancer has an insidious onset with vague, non-specific symptoms that are often attributed to other causes- thus causing a delay in diagnosis. This chapter explores ovarian cancer; its various types, diagnosis, patterns of spread and more.

Topics:

• Types of ovarian cancer
• Risk factors
• Borderline ovarian cancer
  • Incidence
  • Prognosis
  • Presentation
  • Management
• Presentation of ovarian cancer
• Diagnosis
• Patterns of spread
• Staging
• Management
  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery
  • Recurrent disease
• Living with ovarian cancer
  • Monitoring tumour markers
  • Side-effects and sequelae of treatment
  • Disruption to family activities
  • Hereditary concerns
  • Sexuality
  • Existential issues
• Palliative care issues

Speaker / Author:

Mary Ryan
Mary is a registered nurse and certified midwife who holds an oncology certificate and a bachelor’s degree in nursing with honours. Her honours thesis and her current PhD thesis have both focused on the experiences of women with recurrent ovarian cancer. Mary has worked as a gynaecological cancer nurse for 16 years. For the past 12 years she has worked as the clinical nurse consultant for the Gynaecological Cancer Centre at the Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney, Australia).

Mary combines her role of managing the chemotherapy program in the gynaecological cancer centre with researching the effects on women with gynaecological cancer and its treatment. With her colleagues, she has recently published papers on the prevalence and effects of lower limb lymphoedema following gynaecological cancer treatment. Mary has presented the results of her research at local, National and International conferences.


Patricia Mackenzie
Patricia is a registered nurse and certified midwife who holds an oncology certificate and a bachelor of arts degree. She has worked as a cancer nurse for 18 years, including 12 years as a registered nurse in gynaecological oncology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (Sydney, Australia) and six years in her current position as Clinical Nurse Consultant in gynaecological oncology at the Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney). Her role has included caring for women in surgical settings, the administration of chemotherapy and brachytherapy, and palliative care.

Patricia has been involved in a research study looking at the prevalence and experience of lower limb lymphoedema among women following treatment for gynaecological cancer. She is a member of the executive committee of the Sydney branch of the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia.

Professional Reviews: