What is Serous Carcinoma of the Ovary?
Serous carcinoma of the ovary is a common type of high-grade cancer that originates from the epithelial cells of the ovary or epithelial cells that line the serous membrane of the cavity of the abdomen. It is a common type of cancer that accounts for approximately 75% of all cancers of the ovaries. Epithelial cells are the cells that line the surface of the ovaries. Serous ovarian carcinoma responds well to treatment but tends to recur and spread to other parts of the body remote from the site of origin.Disease Causes
The serous carcinoma of the ovary develops due to a hereditary mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.Signs and Symptoms
The patient may suffer from the following signs and symptoms. These are- Pain in the abdomen
- Distension of the abdomen
- Swelling or lump in the abdomen or pelvic region
- Pain, pressure, or feeling of fullness in the abdomen(belly)
Diagnosis
Following diagnostic tests and procedures can be used to make the diagnosis. These are- Complete blood count ( CBC)
- Serum tumor markers
- Imaging techniques like ultrasonography (USG), CT-scan, MRI, and X-Ray to detect the site, size, and extent of the tumor.
- Pelvic examination through per- speculum examination of the vagina, cervix, and ovaries. A speculum is a gynecological instrument used to visualize the vaginal wall, cervix, uterus, and ovaries to detect any abnormality.
- CA-125