Ovarian Cancer Malpractice

Ovarian Cancer Statistics:

In the United States, females have a 1.4 to 1.5% (1 out of 70 women) chance of developing ovarian cancer at some point in their lives. The incidence is higher in older women. More than half of the deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women between 55 and 74 years of age. Approximately one quarter of ovarian cancer deaths occur in women between 35 and 54 years of age.

Symptoms

sense of pelvic heaviness
vague lower abdominal discomfort
vaginal bleeding
weight gain or loss
abnormal menstrual cycles
increased abdominal girth
non specific gastrointestinal symptoms:
increased gas, indigestion, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, inability to ingest usual volumes of food, bloating
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
urinary frequency/urgency - increased
hair - excessive on females
Note: There may be no symptoms until late in the disease.

Signs and tests:

Physical examination may reveal increased abdominal girth and /or ascites (fluid within the abdominal cavity). Pelvic examination may reveal an ovarian or abdominal mass.

Tests include:
CBC
blood chemistry
CA125
quantitative serum HCG (blood pregnancy test)
alpha fetoprotein
urinalysis
GI series
laparotomy exploratory
ultrasound
an abdominal CT scan or MRI of abdomen

Prognosis:

The 5-year survival rate for all stages is 35 to 38%. If, however, diagnosis is made early in the disease, 5-year survival rates can reach 85%.

It is important to discuss any symptoms early with your doctor. See Ovarian Cancer Symptoms and what to look for in the early stages.