Ovarian Mesothelioma

Ovarian Mesothelioma

Ovarian mesothelioma is cancer of the ovary which attacks the female reproduction glands. The cancer either develops on the surface of the ovary or inside the ovary itself. It is said to be caused by environmental exposure to asbestos fibers. This is through the contamination of talc in most cases. Asbestos is said to have been an ingredient in talc. This happens as amphibole asbestos fibers, mainly tremolite and anthophyllite are found in and near mineral deposits of talc mines. Amphibole asbestos is one of the most deadly classes of asbestos which causes mesothelioma. Amphibole asbestos is linked to peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma. All types of mesothelioma have no known cure including ovarian mesothelioma.

Research in the 1980s found that there was a direct link between asbestos exposure and ovarian mesothelioma. While a pathology study in the 1970s reported that there were embedded talc particles in 75% of ovarian tumors that were examined. A study conducted in 1999 showed that 45% of ovarian cases reported that using talc powder on their genitalia. Researchers thus suspect that the use of talc on the genitals may be the cause of ovarian mesothelioma.

It must be said that this type of cancer has not been conclusively linked to asbestos exposure. One study showed that a patient with this illness had initially been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, thus more evidence is needed to conclusively state that ovarian cancer is directly linked to asbestos exposure. (Please note mesothelioma is named based on the initial place the cancer started, therefore, if the cancer starts in the heart it is referred to as pericardial mesothelioma whether it spreads to other parts of the body or not.)

Ovarian mesothelioma symptoms

The symptoms are:

• Abdominal pain
• Pelvic pain
• Abdominal swelling

Ovarian mesothelioma treatment

The treatment for is surgery. The surgery may be combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.