As a result of analyzing the ‘2019 National Cancer Registration Project Annual Report’ by Professor Min-seon Kyung of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, it was found that the number of newly diagnosed patients with ovarian cancer (C56) is increasing every year. The number of new ovarian cancer patients increased by 39.4% from 2071 in 2010 to 2888 in 2019, and the number of new cervical cancer (C53) patients decreased by 18.5% from 4,018 in 2010 to 3,273 in 2019.
In particular, the mortality rate from ovarian cancer in 2019 was 42.7%, which was very high compared to other female cancers such as breast cancer 10.6%, cervical cancer 27.4%, and endometrial cancer 10.9%. When diagnosed at an early stage, ovarian cancer has a high survival rate of 85-95%, but it has such a high mortality rate because it is difficult to detect early. In fact, the stage of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019 was the highest with 1,425 patients in stage 3, accounting for 49.3%, 748 patients (25.9%) in stage 1, 530 patients (18.4%) in stage 2, and 185 patients (6.4%) in stage 4 was sequential.
In order to detect ovarian cancer at an early stage, it is important to know exactly what ovarian cancer is and to get tested if there are any abnormal symptoms.
The ovaries are the female reproductive organs, which exist one on each side of the uterus. They store eggs and secrete hormones that make pregnancy possible. Because ovarian cancer is cancer that develops in the ovaries, many people think that there is no risk of getting ovarian cancer after menopause, when ovarian function decreases. However, in reality, the incidence of ovarian cancer increases after menopause.
Among new ovarian cancer patients in 2019, the number of ovarian cancer patients in their 50s and 60s after menopause was 1,408, accounting for 49% of the total. This is analyzed to be related to age increase among several risk factors for ovarian cancer.
Conversely, young women are often aware that the chance of getting ovarian cancer is slim, but recently, the incidence rate is increasing in relatively young women in their twenties. Among new ovarian cancer patients in 2019, the proportion of patients in their 20s or younger is 6%, which is not a reassuring figure.
Although the cause of ovarian cancer is still unknown, the presence of a BRCA gene mutation increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer. The BRCA gene mutation also increases the chance of developing breast cancer by up to 80% along with ovarian cancer. have. Therefore, if there is a BRCA gene mutation in a family member, it is recommended to undergo a BRCA gene mutation test.
Although it can be burdensome because of the term genetic mutation test, it can be confirmed with a simple blood test, so it is a method for early diagnosis and prevention of ovarian cancer in high-risk groups.
Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect because there are few symptoms in its early stages. As the stage progresses, the tumor grows and ascites develops and symptoms appear, but even these symptoms are non-specific digestive system symptoms such as gastrointestinal disorders, indigestion, and abdominal distension, making it difficult to diagnose ovarian cancer. Because of this, ovarian cancer patients often think that they are obese and go on a diet or receive only gastroenterology treatment, but the diagnosis is often delayed.
Professor Kyung Min-sun said, “This is why regular obstetrics and gynecological examinations are important.” He said, “If there is abdominal distension regardless of food intake, an increase in waist circumference, and discomfort or pelvic pain in the lower abdomen, obstetrics and gynecological diseases including ovarian cancer should be suspected. do,” he advised.
The primary treatment for ovarian cancer is surgery and chemotherapy. First, the cancerous tissue is removed, and when the cancer has spread to the surrounding tissue, all cancerous tissue is removed as much as possible. In the case of advanced ovarian cancer, both ovaries, as well as the fallopian tubes and uterus, must be removed.
Ovarian cancer surgery basically requires removal of the uterus and both ovaries and fallopian tubes. However, if the patient wants to maintain fertility and it is certain that the cancer has not spread outside the ovaries, fertility can be maintained by preserving the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus on the non-cancerous side.
Professor Kyung Min-sun said, “If ovarian cancer, which has recently been rapidly increasing in patients, is detected and treated early, the cure rate can be greatly increased. It is important,” he emphasized. Reporter Jang Jong-ho [email protected]