Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer originates in the cells of the ovary. The most common type is the so-called epithelial ovarian carcinoma accounting for 85 to 90% of ovarian cancers. These tumours arise in the cell layer covering the outer surface of the ovaries. Other types of ovarian cancer include germ cell tumours, which start in the cells that mature to become eggs, and sex-cord stromal tumours, which starts in the cells that release female sex hormones.

The American Cancer Society estimates that ovarian cancer accounts for 4% of all cancers in women. Approximately 25,000 new cases are diagnosed in the USA every year and 1,500 in Australia. Nine out of 10 ovarian cancers are diagnosed after the age of 40.

To date, there is no approved maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer following induction chemotherapy regimens.


What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are non-specific, meaning that they can arise from a variety of non-cancer causes. Typical symptoms include:

•    Swollen abdomen
•    Pain, pressure or discomfort in the abdomen
•    Change in bowel habit, e.g. diarrhea or constipation
•    Urinary changes, e.g. frequency or urgency
•    Bleeding (apart from period)
•    A feeling of bloating or fullness
•    Indigestion or feeling sick
•    Gaining or losing weight
•    Lower back pain
•    Feeling unusually tired
•    Loss of appetite
•    Flatulence
•    Pain during sex

What are the risk factors?

•    Personal or family history of breast, ovarian, endometrial,
      prostate or colon cancer
•    Uninterrupted ovulation, due to infertility, no use of birth control pills
      and no pregnancy
•    Increasing age over 40 years (highest risk group age 70 to 79)
•    Use of high dose estrogen without progesterone


How is ovarian cancer treated?

Surgery will remove as much of the tumor as possible. Chemotherapy is applied to kill cancer cells or prevent them from dividing. Radiation may also be used.

To date, there is no approved maintenance therapy following induction chemotherapy regimens and this is where CVac™ is primarily used as a maintenance therapy after chemotherapy.