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Ovarian cancer - hereditary and familial

In ovarian cancer , a malignant tumor grows in one or both ovaries. The cause is usually not clear, but in about 10 out of 100 women, a hereditary predisposition can play a role in the development of ovarian cancer. This means that there is an error in the DNA. Such an error in the DNA is called a mutation. This mutation increases the risk of ovarian cancer.

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More information about hereditary/familial ovarian cancer

Hereditary causes of ovarian cancer

There are several genes (pieces of DNA) that play a role in the development of ovarian cancer. The most important genes are called BRCA1 and BRCA2.

  • Women with a mutation in the BRCA1 gene have a 35 to 45% chance of developing ovarian cancer.
  • Women with a mutation in the BRCA2 gene have a 10 to 20% chance of developing ovarian cancer.

A woman in the Netherlands without a mutation has a slightly less than 1% chance of ovarian cancer.

In addition to BRCA1 and BRCA2, there are also mutations in other genes that increase the risk of ovarian cancer:

The risk of ovarian cancer with a mutation in these genes is different, but is smaller than with mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.

Familial ovarian cancer

Sometimes ovarian cancer is more common in a family, but no hereditary predisposition has been found. This is called familial ovarian cancer. The risk of ovarian cancer is then smaller than with a hereditary predisposition (with a mutation in the genes). However, the risk may be higher than if there is no ovarian cancer in the family. How big that chance is depends on the family and the person. If the risk of ovarian cancer is higher in a family, a doctor may sometimes recommend that the ovaries be removed.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer often does not cause any symptoms in the beginning. The tumor can continue to grow without affecting other organs. As a result, it sometimes takes a long time before you notice something. Possible symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

  • Bloated belly
  • Feeling full quickly
  • No hunger or appetite for food
  • Nausea
  • An annoying or pressing feeling in the lower abdomen
  • Needing to urinate more often than usual

Other possible complaints are:

  • Gastrointestinal complaints, such as constipation or diarrhea
  • Being very tired all the time
  • Losing weight for no apparent reason
  • Unexpected (abnormal) bleeding: blood loss after menopause, or blood loss between menstruations.

Examination and diagnosis

Unfortunately, ovarian cancer cannot be detected by screening at an early stage. Not even in women with a higher risk, such as with a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. If you have a higher risk, you may be advised to have your fallopian tubes and ovaries removed when you are older than 35 and/or when the desire to have children is complete. Before this operation, you will have a gynecological examination. This research consists of:

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Physical examination
inwendige echo

Hysteroscopy

Tumor markers

Additional research

Does the doctor see anything abnormal? Then you will receive additional examination, such as:

CT Scan handen

CT scan

Women with a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are also more likely to develop breast cancer. That is why it is important to also have your breasts checked from the age of 25.

Ovarian cancer treatment

Women with a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are advised to have their ovaries removed. Women who do not have a mutation in their DNA, but who do have two or more close relatives with ovarian cancer, are also given this advice. This surgery reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.

  • In the case of a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, this usually happens between the ages of 35 and 40.
  • In the case of a mutation in the BRCA2 gene or in women with multiple family members with ovarian cancer, this usually happens between the ages of 40 and 45.

Surgery for ovarian cancer

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