It is known as the “Queen of Gynecological Cancers”.
This insidious disease strikes without warning. 70% of patients are already in advanced stages when diagnosed. While its incidence is lower than breast, cervical, or uterine cancers, the mortality rate among advanced cases soars to 70%.
This extremely dangerous cancer known as the hidden “killer” of women’s health, is ovarian cancer. We recently interviewed Cao Aie, Director of the Department of Gynecology at Hainan Cancer Hospital, to uncover the true “face” of this “killer”.
Three “deadly factors”of ovarian cancer
Director Cao Aie introduced that compared with other gynecological conditions, there are three “deadly traits” of ovarian cancer.
Insidious onset
Nestled deep in the pelvic cavity, ovaries are tiny and difficult to monitor. Early-stage tumors are often symptomatic, leaving most patients undiagnosed until the disease has progressed and miss the best time for treating the tumors.
High mortality rate
Ovarian cancer claims more lives than any other gynecological malignancy. With a 5-year survival rate of just 40–45%, it starkly contrasts with cancers like cervical cancer, which boasts high cure rates when detected early.
High recurrence rate
Ovarian cancer is strongly invasive and metastatic. Cancer cells can easily spread to other organs and tissues in the abdominal and pelvic cavities, increasing the difficulty of treatment and prone to postoperative recurrence.
Early routine examinations often miss it
Dr.Cao explained, “Routine examinations often miss early ovarian cancer. Therefore, over 70% of patients are diagnosed at middle and late stages. This is also one of the main reasons why ovarian cancer is difficult to treat and has a high mortality rate.”
She stated that with the development of modern medical technology, early detection technologies for ovarian cancer are constantly improving, including transvaginal ultrasound examination, CA-125 blood test, etc. Currently, there are also advanced technologies such as liquid biopsy, gene detection, and AI intelligent analysis. For example, the hospital has introduced an international advanced next-generation sequencer, which can assess the risk of cancer before tumor formation, so as to intervene and prevent cancers early.
Director Cao Aie suggests that high-risk groups, including women aged 50-65 (the high-incidence age group), those with a family history of cancer (especially direct relatives with ovarian cancer), carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, individuals with reproductive risks (no/low parity, early menarche before 12, late menopause after 52), as well as women with lifestyle or medical risks (long-term estrogen therapy, obesity, history of breast/endometrial/colorectal cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome), need to undergo regular examinations.
Director Cao Aie reminds that early detection of ovarian cancer can significantly improve the treatment effect and the survival rate of patients.
Standardized and individualized precision treatment is very important
Due to its characteristic of high recurrence, ovarian cancer has become one of the most challenging gynecological tumor to treat.
Specialized in surgical treatment of benign and malignantgynecological tumors such as cervical cancer and ovarian cancer, Director Cao Aie also has rich experience in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy for malignant gynecologicaltumors such as cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and vulvar cancer. She has completed more than 10,000 gynecological surgeries of various types.
Due to the complexity of treating ovarian cancer, standardized and individualized precision treatment is particularly important in the treatment.
Gynecological medical team visiting patients (photo)
The Department of Gynecology of this hospital is connected to domestic and foreign cutting-edge technologies, carrying out in-hospital, cross-regional, and even international MDT (multidisciplinary) cooperation models for ovarian cancer, so that patients can obtain standardized, consistent, and standardized treatment.
On the basis of standardized treatment, relying on the hospital’s advanced gene detection technology, the hospital designs individualized treatment plans according to the patients’ genomic information, molecular markers, tumor biological characteristics, etc., to maximize the treatment benefits of patients and commit to providing patients with a longer survival period and a better life.
Expert introduction
Cao Aie
Director of the Department of GynecologyChief Physician
Medical expertise
Adept at surgical treatment of benign and malignantgynecological tumors such as cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, ovarian tumors, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, and intrauterine adhesions,Dr. Cao Aie also has rich experience in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy for malignantgynecological tumors such as cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and vulvar cancer. She has completed more than 10,000 minimally invasive surgeries such as laparotomy, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and vaginal surgery.
Clinic Hours
Every Monday and Wednesday
Text and images | Liang Shan