Every September, we recognize Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a vital opportunity to bring attention to this deadly gynecological cancer, often referred to as the “silent killer.” With a shocking five-year survival rate of less than 40%, it’s crucial to discuss how ovarian cancer patients can overcome this grim statistic.
To gain insight into this matter, we spoke with Dr. Yao Liangqing, Deputy Director and Chief Expert in Gynecological Oncology at the Women and Children’s Medical Center of Guangzhou Medical University. He shared key strategies for improving survival rates among ovarian cancer patients.
Dr. Yao highlighted the significance of enhanced monitoring, particularly for women at high risk. “For those diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer, effective management involves satisfactory tumor reduction surgery, comprehensive chemotherapy, and ongoing maintenance treatment following chemotherapy,” he explained.
Because of the ovaries’ deep placement in the pelvis, tumors can spread throughout the pelvic and abdominal cavities before patients notice any symptoms. By the time someone experiences abdominal bloating or can physically feel a pelvic mass, the cancer may have already reached an advanced stage.
According to Dr. Yao, the average age for an ovarian cancer diagnosis is approximately 63, with women between 60 and 70 years old being especially vulnerable. Other high-risk groups include women with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, as well as those with conditions like fallopian tube or ovarian cysts. Additionally, “chocolate cysts” pose a particular risk, with about a 1% chance of turning malignant; hence, early detection through gynecological ultrasound can be vital for spotting early tumor changes.
Interestingly, Dr. Yao pointed out three well-known “70%” statistics related to ovarian cancer treatment: 70% of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage; 70% will face a recurrence within three years of standard treatment; and nearly 70% find it challenging to surpass the five-year survival rate. He stated, “These three ‘70%’ figures underscore significant obstacles in the treatment of ovarian cancer, including early diagnosis challenges, drug resistance, and low survival rates.” With over thirty years in the field, he also noted a fourth statistic: “70% of late-stage ovarian cancer patients struggle to achieve satisfactory tumor reduction through surgery.”
For these patients, drug resistance and the threat of recurrence are notable concerns. Dr. Yao elaborated, “In traditional treatment regimens, tumors are surgically excised, followed by chemotherapy to eliminate any residual cancer cells. However, some malignant cells can be remarkably resilient and enter a dormant phase during chemotherapy, which is known as tumor dormancy or escape mechanisms.” This dormancy complicates efforts to completely eradicate these cells, increasing the risk of recurrence. Although the likelihood of recurrence diminishes significantly after five years, nearly 10% of patients may still encounter a recurrence beyond that period.
On a positive note, the introduction of targeted therapies, such as PARP inhibitors, represents a game-changing development in the precision treatment of ovarian cancer. Dr. Yao remarked that these new medications significantly enhance patients’ chances of reaching the five-year survival milestone.
He wrapped up our conversation by stressing the importance of more personalized long-term follow-up care for ovarian cancer survivors. “Recurrence patterns and probabilities differ between early and late-stage patients, and various case types carry distinct relapse risks. Therefore, even if a patient has remained recurrence-free for many years, they should not let their guard down when it comes to regular check-ups. We’ve seen instances where patients come back for evaluations after seven years, only to find extensive metastasis,” he cautioned.
Awareness and proactive monitoring are crucial components in the ongoing battle against ovarian cancer.
