Several disorders may cause changes to the ovaries in women’s health. Two that usually cause more anxiety include Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Ovarian Cancer. As both pertain to the ovaries, they are two distinct pathologies.
What is PCOS?
PCOS means Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. to describe, it is “many cysts”, so in PCOS, a woman’s ovaries may develop many small bodies of fluid (follicles). As a result, the body cannot release eggs on time.
PCOS is quite common. Indeed, it is estimated to impact one of every ten women of childbearing age. That means if you are interacting with ten women, one of them is likely to be suffering from PCOS. The illness commonly develops in the late teen years or early adulthood, lasting infancy.
What Happens in PCOS?
PCOS has been identified as characterized by hormonal disturbances in the regular cycle. Hormones are a bit like a courier service inside our body. Physicians explain that in PCOS, tissues in the ovaries generate elevated levels of male hormones known as androgens, which may lead to certain complications in the ovaries.
In cases of regular menstrual cycles from puberty to menopause, the ovaries usually release an egg monthly. This is called ovulation. In PCOS, the immature eggs may not grow to what they are supposed to be or never leave the ovary. This can lead to more frequent break down of the cycle and makes it difficult for women to conceive.
Signs and Symptoms of PCOS
Couples in which the female partner has PCOS may experience several characteristic signs and symptoms. Such may be instances where the woman has a history of highly light or completely missed periods. It is not easy for some women to conceive. Another typical sign is facial, chest, back, or buttocks hair, which is more than the hair growth on the scalp. The majority of PCOS sufferers are overweight and in many cases fail at attempts to diets. There may be uneven skin tone or scaly skin, acne or oily skin. Some of the effects may include the following: Some women might experience hair loss or a thin hairline on the head.
How is PCOS Diagnosed?
Currently, doctors use some criteria to diagnose PCOS. They will assess your signs and will conduct the clinical assessment. Hormone-level tests are standard in blood tests. An ultrasound could be used to examine your ovaries. Indeed, it is a condition that cannot be diagnosed using a single test. You must visit your doctor and discuss different symptoms with them.
What Causes PCOS?
Much is still unknown about what triggers PCOS. But several factors may contribute therein. It may be that hormones play a role as PCOS is often hereditary condition. A lot of woman suffering from PCOS have raised levels of insulin resistance, this in turn contributes to production of androgens. They also tested for inflammation in the body, which may be higher in women with PCOS compared to others in other studies.
Treatment for PCOS
Though there is no known cure for PCOS, there is a lot one can do. One can prefer diet modification or counseling; exercise and weight loss are helpful once diagnosed with PCOS. Also, prescribed drugs control periods, reduce excessive hair, manage acne, and facilitate ovulation. In addition, contraceptive pills can help in managing menstrual cycle and androgen levels too.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovaries in the female reproductive system divide abnormally leading to ovarian cancer.
Although ovarian cancer is not as rampant as PCOS, the latter is much more dangerous. Across the world, this is the seventh most common cancer in women. In fact, PCOS is not life threatening but ovarian cancer must be diagnosed early.
What happens in Ovarian cancer?
In ovarian cancer, atypical cells in the ovarian tissue and its vicinity grow uncontrolled. It forms the capacity to develop a mass, referred to as a tumor, and also spread to other body parts.
There are three main categories under which ovarian cancer falls:
Tumors of epithelial origin: These start at the external capsule which is only a membranous layer that surrounds the ovarian tubes. A majority of ovarian tumours are of epithelial origin, approximately 95%.
Tumors of the stromal tissue: These develop from the part of the ovary that consists of hormone producing cells. This cancer type is generally diagnosed at an earlier stage than some other types of ovarian cancer most of the time.
Germ cell or prima facie egg-producing tumors: In its adjectival form, the tumors develop from young girls as rudimentary ova residing in the ovaries. This is a rare type of ovarian tumor that develops during young and adulthood age.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer:
At first, ovarian cancer patients experience mild or no signs. But, symptoms at an advanced stage are few and nonspecific. Sometimes, they are mistaken for other harmless conditions.
Ovarian cancer can cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Tumor mass or swelling of the abdomen.
- It is a gut feeling that one gets filled up quickly and gorges oneself.
- Decrease in body mass.
- Organs in the abdominal cavities ache within that area.
- Impaired functions of the alimentary canal delegation of stool discharge—augmenting severity
- Unusual sensation of urge to urinate compared to a typical pattern
Again, these symptoms and signs are generic in general pathology and may also indicate many other conditions than ovarian cancer. If symptoms do not disappear after two weeks and are unusual for you, check with your doctor.
How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
CT or ultrasound scanning is a part of evaluations. The CA-125 and other blood tests can provide an answer either way for whether or not ovarian cancer is possible in women. The only procedure now in use to diagnose ovarian cancer is tissue biopsy.
What Causes Ovarian Cancer?
The precise etiology of ovarian cancer remains undetermined; nevertheless, certain elements may elevate the likelihood of developing the condition:
Age: Ovarian carcinoma is predominantly observed in females above fifty years.
Familial history: The risk heightens even more if close relatives had breast or ovarian cancer.
Genetic alterations: deleterious inherited mutations that commence with the likes of BRCA1 and BRCA2 considerably raise the chances of developing cancer.
Reproductive History: Conditions like never being pregnant and having menstrual cycles starting at age twelve, coupled with delayed childbearing years, may elevate the chances of cancer.
Treatment for Ovarian Cancer
In general, it is addressed with surgery and chemotherapy. The particular treatment will depend on the ovarian cancer type and its stage. The goal of the operation is often to remove as much of the cancer as possible, and it is usually the first treatment. Chemotherapy follows by using chemicals to annihilate or inhibit the growth of neoplastic cells. In contrast to these advancements, more recent treatment modalities, such as targeted therapy, employ agents that act on the specific vulnerabilities of malignant cells.
Understanding Differences Between PCOS and Ovarian Cancer
Having looked at both conditions now, let us outline the main differences. To start with, one is a hormonal disease, while the other is a cancer. The latter occurs with a lower prevalence estimated at 10%. Ovarian cancer tends to be less prevalent, occurring in approximately 1 of every 78 women in their lifetime. PCOS usually presents in the age of teens or early 20s women, whereas on the other hand, ovarian cancer prevalence is high in women aged fifty and above.
- The features of these two conditions also are diverse. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is an endocrine condition the includes cysts. But ovarian cancer symptoms are not clear. On the other hand, one can suspect through signs like abdominal distension, pelvic pain, or changes in bowel habits.
- Both the techniques and procedures for diagnosing vary significantly; for example, diagnosing ADHD in children involves considering clinical symptoms, a physical exam, and hormone testing. Usually, the detection of ovarian cancer involves imaging tests and a biopsy for histological analysis.
- Diagnosing each of the diseases also varies greatly. As is the case with other hormonal disorders, the approach to managing PCOS is mainly lifestyle intervention and symptomatic treatment. The more conservative treatment will rarely be effective in the case of such a condition as ovarian cancer, which usually entails surgery and chemotherapy.
- The outlook is very distinct when it comes to these two issues. While PCOS can be classified as a chronic ailment, it does not lead to death. In contrast, ovarian cancer is a deadly disease particularly of the diagnosis is not made in early stages.
- Both issues can lead to infertility but affect it in different manners. PCOS makes it more challenging to conceive, but that is not the case for the majority of women with PCOS who can have children after receiving appropriate treatment. Fertility is even less preserved in the case of ovarian cancer and its management.
Why you should know the difference?
For one, understanding the distinction between PCOS and ovarian cancer certainly helps to relieve anxiety for several reasons. Many patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome indeed tend to be preoccupied that they are at risk of developing ovarian cancer because of the overlapping symptoms. Since fears can hinder a woman from seeking necessary care, the first step would be to define what the conditions entail.
Knowing that there is a difference can also bring about proper medical treatment. Recognizing symptoms and knowing when to visit a doctor are the right steps to a proper diagnosis and treatment, especially since early detection leads to a better outcome when it comes to ovarian cancer.
This can inspire lifestyle alterations towards healthy living, possibly helping to lessen symptoms in women with PCOS. Both of the conditions degrade fertility but in opposite ways. It can empower you in making more informed decisions about family planning.
Conclusion: Knowledge is Power
Both PCOS and ovarian cancer target the ovaries. However, they are two different conditions. PCOS is an extremely common hormonal disease that is inconvenient rather than harmful. Cancer of the ovary is a rare but serious condition that demands a great urgency to seek medical attention.
If you experience unusual symptoms, meet your healthcare provider. They can adequately diagnose and guide you through proper treatment.
Remember, it is in your hands to keep yourself healthy. Stay informed and listen to your body. Do not hesitate to seek medical advice. It may be PCOS, ovarian cancer, or any other health concern, but if detected early and cared for properly, one can lead a healthy life.
References:
https://www.americanoncology.com/blogs/difference-between-pcos-and-ovarian-cancer
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10164440/
https://iuhealth.org/thrive/understanding-the-link-between-pcos-and-ovarian-cancer