Primary

What is ovarian cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells in the body grow out of control and form a tumor. Ovarian cancer is a cancerous tumor that forms in the tissues of an ovary. The ovaries are a pair of female reproductive glands that make eggs and female hormones.

What are the types of ovarian cancer?

There are a few different types of ovarian cancer. The most common type is epithelial cancer. It begins in the cells that cover the ovary.

There are also two related types of epithelial cancer that can spread to the ovaries:

Fallopian tube cancer forms in the tissue lining a fallopian tube. The fallopian tubes are a pair of long, slender tubes on each side of the uterus. The uterus is the female reproductive organ where a baby grows during pregnancy.
Primary peritoneal cancer forms in the tissue lining the peritoneum. Your peritoneum is a tissue lining that covers the organs in the abdomen (belly).

These two cancers are similar to ovarian cancer, and they have the same treatments. So some medical experts also consider those two types as ovarian cancer.

Some other rarer types of ovarian cancer are malignant germ cell tumors and stromal tumors.

What causes ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer happens when there are changes (mutations) in the genetic material (DNA). Often, the exact cause of these genetic changes is unknown.

Most ovarian cancers are caused by genetic changes that happen during your lifetime. But sometimes these genetic changes are inherited, meaning that you are born with them. Ovarian cancer that is caused by inherited genetic changes is called hereditary ovarian cancer.

There are also certain genetic changes that can raise your risk of ovarian cancer, including changes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. These two changes also raise your risk of breast and other cancers.

Besides genetics, your lifestyle and the environment can affect your risk of ovarian cancer.

Who is more likely to develop ovarian cancer?

Certain people are more likely to develop ovarian cancer. They include those who:

Have a family history of ovarian cancer in a mother, daughter, or sister
Have inherited changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
Have certain other genetic conditions, such as Lynch syndrome
Have endometriosis
Took hormone replacement therapy
Are overweight or have obesity
Are tall
Are older, especially those who have gone through menopause

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer may not cause early signs or symptoms. By the time you do have signs or symptoms, the cancer is often advanced.

The signs and symptoms may include:

Pain, swelling, or a feeling of pressure in the abdomen or pelvis
Sudden or frequent urge to urinate (pee)
Trouble eating or feeling full
A lump in the pelvic area
Gastrointestinal problems, such as gas, bloating, or constipation

How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

To find out if you have ovarian cancer, your health care provider:

Will ask about your medical history, including your symptoms
Will ask about your family health history, including relatives who have had ovarian cancer
Will do a physical exam, including a pelvic exam
Will likely do imaging tests
May do blood tests such as a CA-125 blood test

Often the only way to know for sure that you have ovarian cancer is by having a biopsy of the tissue. A biopsy is done during surgery to remove the tumor.

What are the treatments for ovarian cancer?

Treatments for ovarian cancer may include:

Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible
Chemotherapy
Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells

Your provider may suggest that you have genetic testing to look for the gene changes that raise the risk for ovarian cancer. Knowing whether or not you have the gene change may help your provider decide on your treatment plan.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Primary FDA Approved Drugs

ALDARA [Imiquimod^{C₁₄H₁₆N₄}]

5% (topical cream)

Medicis^{Feb 27, 1997}

Treatment of biopsy-confirmed, primary superficial basal cell carcinoma (sbcc).
Works through the induction of interferon and other cytokines.

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

ANTARA (MICRONIZED) [Fenofibrate^{C₂₀H₂₁ClO₄}]

130mg (oral capsule)

43mg (oral capsule)

90mg (oral capsule)

Lupin Atlantis^{Nov 30, 2004}

Treating hypercholesterolemias with reduction of food effect.
Treating hypertriglyceridemias with reduction of food effect.
Treating primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia.
Treating severe hypertriglyceridemia.

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

AVEED [Testosterone Undecanoate^{C₃₀H₄₈O₃}]

750mg/3ml (250mg/ml) (intramuscular injectable)

Endo Pharms Inc^{Mar 5, 2014}

Testosterone replacement therapy in adult males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone; primary hypogonadism (congenital or acquired); hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (congenital or acquired)..

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

CRESTOR [Rosuvastatin Calcium^{2C₂₂H₂₇FN₃O₆SCa}]

10mg (oral tablet)

20mg (oral tablet)

40mg (oral tablet)

5mg (oral tablet)

Ipr^{Aug 12, 2003}

Treatment of pediatric patients 8 to 17 years of age with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (hefh).
Use of rosuvastatin calcium for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in individuals without clinically evident coronary heart disease but with increased risk factors.
Use of rosuvastatin calcium to reduce elevated total-c, ldl-c, apob, nonhdl-c or tg levels; to increase hdl-c in adult patients with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia; and to slow the progression of atherosclerosis..

efficacy
4.5 (2)

side effects
1.0 (1)

danger
1.0 (1)

ENTEREG [Alvimopan^{C₂₅H₃₂N₂O₄2H₂O}]

12mg (oral capsule)

Cubist Pharms^{May 20, 2008}

A method of treating or preventing ileus.
A method to accelerate the time to gastrointestinal recovery by administering about 12 mg of alvimopan to the patient from about 30 to 60 minutes prior to surgery.
Accelerating the time to upper and lower gastrointestinal recovery following surgeries that include partial bowel resection with primary anastomosis.
Treating a subject undergoing abdominal surgery by administering alvimopan to accelerate the time to upper and lower gastrointestinal recovery following surgeries that include partial bowel resection with primary anastomosis.

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

HORIZANT [Gabapentin Enacarbil^{C₁₆H₂₇NO₆}]

300mg (oral tablet, extended release)

600mg (oral tablet, extended release)

Arbor Pharms Llc^{Dec 13, 2011}

Management of postherpetic neuralgia (phn) in adults.
Treatment of moderate-to-severe primary restless leg syndrome in adults.

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

LAMICTAL ODT [Lamotrigine^{C₉H₇Cl₂N₅}]

100mg (oral tablet, orally disintegrating)

200mg (oral tablet, orally disintegrating)

25mg (oral tablet, orally disintegrating)

50mg (oral tablet, orally disintegrating)

Glaxosmithkline Llc^{May 8, 2009}

Lamictal is an antiepileptic drug (aed) indicated for: epilepsy-adjunctive therapy in patients greater than or equal to 2 years of age: (1.1) partial seizures primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

LIVALO [Pitavastatin Calcium^{2C₂₅H₂₃FNO₄Ca}]

eq 1mg base (oral tablet)

eq 2mg base (oral tablet)

eq 4mg base (oral tablet)

Kowa Co^{Aug 3, 2009}

Adjuncitve therapy to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprtein b, triglycerides and to increase hdl-c in adult patients with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia.

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

MIRAPEX [Pramipexole Dihydrochloride^{C₁₀H₁₇N₃S2ClHH₂O}]

0.125mg (oral tablet)

0.25mg (oral tablet)

0.5mg (oral tablet)

0.75mg (oral tablet)

1.5mg (oral tablet)

1mg (oral tablet)

Boehringer Ingelheim^{Jul 1, 1997}

Treatment of moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome (rls).

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

NIASPAN [Niacin^{C₆H₅NO₂}]

1gm (oral tablet, extended release)

500mg (oral tablet, extended release)

750mg (oral tablet, extended release)

Abbvie^{Jul 28, 1997}

A method of reducing the capacity of extended release nicotinic acid to provoke a flushing reaction by pretreating an individual with a flush inhibiting agent prior to the administration of the extended release nicotinic acid.
Method of treating hyperlipidemia with nicotinic acid by dosing once per day in the evening or at night.
Reduction in elevated tc and ldl-c by dosing once per day in the evening or at night, with pretreatment with a flush inhibitin agent such as aspirin.
Reduction in elevated tc and ldl-c by dosing once per day in the evening or at night.
Reduction in risk of recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction by dosing once per day in the evening or a t night, with pretreatment with a flush inhibitin agent such as aspirin.
Reduction in risk of recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction by dosing once per day in the evening or at night.
Reduction in tg by dosing once per day in the evening or at night, with pretreatment with a flush inhibiting agent such as aspirin.
Reduction in tg by dosing once per day in the evening or at night.
Treatment of primary and mixed dyslipidemia by dosing once per day in the evening or at night, with pretreatment with a flush inhibiting agent such as aspirin.
Treatment of primary and mixed dyslipidemia by dosing once per day in the evening or at night.

efficacy
3.0 (1)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

OCALIVA [Obeticholic Acid^{C₂₆H₄₄O₄}]

10mg (oral tablet)

5mg (oral tablet)

Intercept Pharms Inc^{May 27, 2016}

Treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (pbc).

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

TRICOR [Fenofibrate^{C₂₀H₂₁ClO₄}]

145mg (oral tablet)

48mg (oral tablet)

Abbvie^{Nov 5, 2004}

Adjunctive therapy to diet in adults to reduce ldl-c, total-c, triglycerides and apo b, and increase hdl-c in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia (types iia, iib) and to treat hypertriglyceridemia (types iv, v).
Adjunctive therapy to diet in adults to reduce ldl-c, triglycerides and apo b, and increase hdl-c in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia (types iia, iib) and to treat hypertriglyceridemia (types iv, v).

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

ZETIA [Ezetimibe^{C₂₄H₂₁F₂NO₃}]

10mg (oral tablet)

Msd Intl Gmbh^{Oct 25, 2002}

Reduction of elevated plasma sterol and/or stanol levels in a mammal.
To reduce elevated total-c, ldl-c, apo b and non-hdl-c in patients with primary hyperlipidemia by administration of ezetimibe alone or in combination with a statin or with fenofibrate.
To reduce plasma cholesterol levels in a mammal.

efficacy
0.0 (0)

side effects
0.0 (0)

danger
0.0 (0)

WARNING: Consult a licensed physician in the appropriate field for medical treatment and drug prescription. Do not self medicate.

WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.

Felter's Materia Medica on Primary

CACTUS (Selenicereus spp.)
The fresh, green stems and the flowers of Selenicereus grandiflorus (L.) Britt. & Rose (and other Selenicereus speciesMM) (Cereus grandiflorus,... / ...at the mental, cerebral, gastric, and other effects are secondary to and dependent largely upon the primary effects of the drug upon the heart; others believe its action depends chiefly upon the nervo... / ...organ were held with a strong band, it is often the most prompt of all cardiac remedies. It is a good remedy in the heart troubles produced by to¹

GRINDELIA
The dried leaves and flowering tops of one or several species of Grindeliaas Grindelia camporum, Greene; or Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh), Dunal.... / ...ys are excited by them and diuresis is increased, while upon the bronchial membranes they produce a primary increase of secretion followed by a lessened expectoration and diminution of the rate of bre... / ...over the spleen, sallow skin, debility and indigestion, with gastric distress. The bitter taste of grindelia is best disguised by chloroform.¹

HYOSCYAMUS
The leaves and flowering or fruiting tops of Hyoscyamus niger, Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). Europe; naturalized in waste places in the United... / ...liriant than its congeners and it is less likely to cause cerebral hyperaemia. Under hyoscyamus the primary stimulation observed under belladonna and stramonium and their alkaloids may be absent, or a... / ...conditions best. Hence its value in nervous headache, the headache of debility, the vague pains of so-called chronic rheumatism, idiopath¹

LINUM
The ripe seeds of Linum usitatissimum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Linaceae). Levant and southern Europe; cultivated. Common Names: Flaxseed,... / ...issues should be borne in mind. Equal parts of linseed oil and lime water form Carron Oil, the best primary dressing for burns and scalds. Linseed meal added to the wash water will assist in removing ... / ...given in daily repeated doses of 1 to 2 ounces. Linseed oil may be given freely in poisoning by alkalies, when other bland oils are not at hand.¹

PHYSOSTIGMA^PHYSO4
The dried, ripe seed of Physostigma venenosum, Balfour (Nat. Ord. Leguminosae). A climbing perennial, native of Calabar, in the Gulf of Guinea, on... / ...s, in human poisoning, to dilate he concludes: that when the alkaloid is in sufficient amount the primary oculo-motor stimulation is followed by oculo-motor palsy. The view that the drug acts by c... / ...drug has not therefore had a fair trial. It is one of the suggested antidotes for strychnine poisoning, the alkaloid being preferred. For all of¹

STILLINGIA
The dried root of Stillingia sylvatica, Linné (Nat. Ord. Euphorbiaceae). Southern United States growing in sandy soils. Dose, 5 to 60... / ... of tissue waste with tardy repair of structure. While sometimes used early in syphilis, during the primary stage, we can see no reason for its use before broken-down products begin to appear as it is... / ...from difficult breathing experienced by consumptives, as well as the pains in the limbs so frequently a torture to this class of sufferers.¹

References

1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ledgend of Medicine

MODERN MEDICINES

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Primary

Primary FDA Approved Drugs

Felter's Materia Medica on Primary

References