The ovaries are responsible for producing eggs that can be fertilized for a successful conception. The ovaries are made up of germ, stromal, and epithelial cells that make up the various layers of the organ. Ovarian cancer occurs when cells within these layers start to mutate and grow out of control. Early diagnosis and treatment can help women manage the symptoms that develop with the progressive disorder. Here is a brief overview.

1. Complete health exam
A routine pelvic examination will allow the doctors to physically check the uterus and ovaries for any irregularities in shape, consistency, and size. At an advanced stage, screening tests can be done to detect the cancer if the doctor feels the physical exam was not conclusive enough. Screening tests can be done using ultrasound waves to find an abnormal lump or mass in the ovary or by measuring any abnormal amount of protein in the blood. The CA-125 protein screening is usually recommended for women who are already at risk of ovarian cancer due to inherited genetic syndromes or other known gene mutations.

2. Diagnostic studies
Further blood work for detecting antigens, HCG levels alpha-fetoproteins, lactate dehydrogenase levels, and additional liver/kidney function tests are recommended to detect cancer cells. A biopsy will be done to examine a small mass of tissue using CT scans and ultrasound to detect the presence of abnormal fluids. Further MRI and PET imaging tests shall be done to check if the cancer has already spread to other organs post metastasis.

Treatment options for ovarian cancer
There is no definitive cure for cancer. However, a combination of medications, surgery, radiation therapy, and self-care practices can help manage the discomforts and improve the quality of life.

1. Surgery
Surgical procedures will ensure the removal of cancerous tissue to prevent the cells from replicating and destroying healthy cells in the vicinity. Surgical options for ovarian cancer include a laparotomy, laparoscopy, and additional surgery for debulking recurrent cancer cells.

2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of targeted medications that destroy the cancer cells or help shrink huge tumors before additional surgeries can be performed. Doses can be given in the form of pills or injected into the artery. In advancing cancers, chemotherapy is more effective when administered intravenously or by using a catheter directly placed at the targeted area.

3. Complementary medicine and clinical trials
Doctors usually recommend a combination of the aforementioned treatments for managing symptoms. Additionally, women have also responded well to complementary medicine, including herbal medicine, meditation, yoga, Tai-Chi, and massages for pain relief. Understand that the results will vary depending on factors like the severity of the conditions and overall outlook in terms of disease progression. Alternatively, ovarian cancer can be tackled with clinical trials. These trials are reserved for patients who qualify and involve the use of new experimental medicines or procedures to test their effectiveness. Not all trials will be successful, but when other treatment modes are exhausted, a clinical trial is the only option left.