Proton Therapy for Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer develops in the ovary and falls into one of four categories: epithelial, stromal, germ cell, and small cell.

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Overview

Epithelial tumors arise from the surface of the ovary and account for about 85 to 90 percent of all ovarian cancers. Nationally, ovarian cancer in 2021 is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the fifth-leading cause of cancer death in women. Ovarian cancer is a serious disease, but if caught in its early stages before it spreads, the five-year survival rate is 93 percent, but only 16 percent of diagnoses are made at this localized stage.

Benefits of Proton Therapy

High-energy, precisely-targeted proton beams can deliver high doses of radiation to destroy cancerous cells, reducing recurrence rates for many cancer cases.
Proton therapy is non-invasive and may reduce side effects.
Patients treated with proton therapy may have increased tolerance for chemotherapy.
Patients can maintain their current quality of life during and after treatment.
It is sometimes used effectively to treat areas that have already been treated with radiation.

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Statistics

In 2024, 19,680 U.S. women are expected to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and approximately 12,740 will die.
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths. A woman’s lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is 1 in 87.
In 2024, an estimated 1,680 Texas women will face an ovarian cancer diagnosis, with an estimated 960 deaths.
Between 35 and 70% of women with a BRCA1 gene mutation and 10% and 30% with a BRCA2 gene mutation may develop ovarian cancer. Texas Oncology recommends genetic counseling and testing for appropriate family members with family history of ovarian cancer. There are options to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in those known to have one of these gene mutations.

Risk Factors

Family History: Women with immediate family members (mother, sister, or daughter) who have had ovarian cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. The risk can originate from the mother’s or father’s side of the family. If you have a family history of cancer, genetic testing can help determine your risk.
Age: Approximately 50 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are age 63 or older.
Parity: Women who have never given birth or had a first full-term pregnancy after age 35 face a higher risk. Women with a first full-term pregnancy before age 26 have lower risk, which is reduced with each subsequent full-term pregnancy.
Breast or Colon Cancer: Women who have had breast cancer or have a family history of breast or colon cancer face a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Some of the inherited genetic disorders that increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer, such as a BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation, also increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Medical Conditions: Women with Cowden syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Lynch syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia, or MUTYH-associated polyposis have an increased risk.
Obesity: Being overweight may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
Hormone Use: Women who use estrogen-only hormone therapy after menopause have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Ethnicity: Women with Ashkenazi Jewish descent are at a higher risk.

Currently, there is no standard screening test for ovarian cancer, as the Pap test screens only for cervical cancer and some infections. Occasionally pelvic exams detect ovarian cancer, usually once the cancer is at an advanced stage. Therefore, women should be aware of the symptoms for ovarian cancer, as early detection is critical. Women should consult their physician if they persistently experience any of the following symptoms:

Abdominal bloating or swelling with weight loss
Fatigue
Pain in back, abdomen, pelvis, or during sex
Constipation
Heavier or irregular menstruation, discharge
Indigestion
Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Trouble eating, feeling full quickly, upset stomach

Prevention

Ovarian cancer cannot be prevented in most cases, but women can take steps to decrease risk of developing the disease.

Oral contraceptives: Women who have used birth control pills for more than five years reduce their risk by 50 percent, compared to women who have never taken oral contraceptives.
Removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries: Studies show that removing the fallopian tubes and the ovaries in premenopausal women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation can reduce risk of ovarian cancer by 85 to 95 percent and breast cancer by 50 percent.

Treatment

Women with ovarian cancer should consult a gynecologic oncologist to determine their specific treatment needs. Treatment for ovarian cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, or a combination. For younger patients whose cancer has not spread, it may be possible to save the unaffected ovary and fallopian tube to preserve fertility.

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Sources: American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, and Texas Cancer Registry

Proton Therapy for Ovarian Cancer

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Overview

Benefits of Proton Therapy

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Statistics and risk factors

Statistics

Risk Factors

Symptoms and signs

Prevention and treatment

Prevention

Treatment

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Proton Therapy for Ovarian Cancer

Overview

Benefits of Proton Therapy

Statistics and risk factors

Statistics

Risk Factors

Symptoms and signs

Prevention and treatment

Prevention

Treatment