Comprehensive  Ovarian Cancer Care

Ovarian Cancer Treatment in Kenya

What is ovarian cancer?

A woman has two ovaries, located on either side of the uterus.

Ovarian cancer is cancer of the ovaries, which are organs within a woman’s reproductive system. It may also start in the cells in the far (distal) end of the fallopian tubes.

Kenya Laparoscopic Surgery Services has long-standing experience providing comprehensive screening, counseling, and treatment for ovarian cancer in Kenya and the surrounding areas.

Full Range of Ovarian Cancer Care at KLASS

Leading-edge treatments

You may be reading this because you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Learning as much as you can about the disease can help you feel better prepared to speak with doctors about your condition, possible treatment, and care.

We know that treating ovarian cancer effectively requires not just one but many approaches

KLASS offers lifelong treatment for women with gynecologic cancers and pre-cancerous conditions.

From advanced screening, diagnostic and genetic testing to promote early detection to advanced treatment options, our physicians provide the skilled and compassionate care you deserve.

What are the signs & symptoms of ovarian cancer?

It can be difficult to detect it early because patients might have no symptoms or mild symptoms that are mistaken for other issues until the disease has progressed.

It’s easy to overlook the early symptoms of ovarian cancer because they’re similar to other common illnesses or they tend to come and go.

The signs and symptoms include:

1. Abdominal bloating or swelling.
2. Weight loss.
3. Discomfort in the pelvis area.
4. Changes in bowel habits, such as the frequent need to urinate.
5. Fatigue.
6. Heartburn, indigestion, and constipation.
7. Back pain.
8. Menstrual irregularities.
9. Painful intercourse.
10. Dermatomyositis (a rare inflammatory disease that can cause a skin rash, muscle weakness, and inflamed muscles)
    Many women have some of these problems at one time or another. The symptoms will persist if they’re due to ovarian cancer.

Am I at risk for getting ovarian cancer?

Most women get ovarian cancer without being at high risk. However, several factors may increase a woman’s risk, including if you:-

• Are middle-aged or older. Most cases develop after menopause.
• Have a family history of ovarian, breast, uterine, or colon cancer.
• Have genetic mutations of genes associated with this type of cancer.
• Are obese.
• Use certain fertility drugs or hormone therapies.
• Have no history of pregnancy.
• Suffer from endometriosis.

What can I do to reduce the risk?

• Having had a tubal ligation (getting your tubes tied), both ovaries removed, or a hysterectomy (an operation in which the uterus, and sometimes the cervix, is removed).
• Having given birth.
• Breastfeeding – Some studies suggest that women who breastfeed for a year or more may have a modestly reduced risk of ovarian cancer.

How is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?

Your doctor will likely perform a pelvic exam to feel for lumps or changes in and around the ovaries and order additional tests if you’ve been experiencing persistent abdominal bloating, discomfort, or other symptoms, or if you have risk factors for this cancer.

Diagnostic tests and procedures include:

• Imaging tests. Tests, such as ultrasound or CT scans of your abdomen and pelvis, may help determine the size, shape, and structure of your ovaries. Ultrasounds may include, Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). This is a type of imaging test that uses sound waves to detect tumors in the reproductive organs, including the ovaries. However, TVUS can’t help your doctor determine whether tumors are cancerous.
• Blood tests. Blood tests might include organ function tests that can help determine your overall health. These tests can’t tell your doctor whether you have cancer but may give clues about your diagnosis and prognosis.
• Biopsy. This involves removing a small sample of tissue from the ovary and analyzing the sample under a microscope. A biopsy is the only way your doctor can confirm your diagnosis.
• Surgery. Sometimes your doctor can’t be certain of your diagnosis until you undergo surgery to remove an ovary and have it tested for signs of cancer.
  This information helps your team of specialists decide which treatments for ovarian cancer are best for you.

How is ovarian cancer treated?

If you’re diagnosed with ovarian cancer, rest assured you have the top-rated cancer experts in Kenya by your side. Together, our multi-disciplinary team will work closely with you to create a personalized cancer treatment plan, which may include the latest surgical, medical and radiation therapies, as well as options like:

1. Chemotherapy – which is used following surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
2. Hormonotherapy – which uses hormones to treat and prevent recurrences.
3. Immunotherapy –  which uses your body’s natural defense system to destroy cancer cells.

Minimal Assess Surgery for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

The type of surgery you receive depends on several factors, including the stage of your cancer, your general health, and whether you plan on having children in the future. Our experts recommend that most women undergo chemotherapy as a preventative measure after surgery.

In many cases, we can perform minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgeries, which use smaller incisions, leave smaller scars, and require less recovery time.

The role of laparoscopic surgery is to stage an early ovarian cancer, assess the extent of the disease and potential resectability, and reassess the operation to rule out recurrence.

Your Laparoscopy Procedure With Prof. Rafique Pakar

Redefined Care

Prof. Rafique Parkar pioneered Minimal Access Surgery in Africa 25 years ago and operates at the highest level of expertise in Africa. ( Level VI )

He is committed to improving the lifestyles of women in Kenya and the world by helping them gain access to top-level minimal access surgery in Africa.

He strongly believes that all women have the right to informed consent and should have access to the best treatment plans suited for them and that is the reason why he founded KLASS ( Kenya Laparoscopic Surgery Services ).

Together with his team at KLASS, they provide the highest level of holistic surgical care to women, ensuring that they meet their individual health needs.

Prof. Rafique Parkar specializes in helping women who ail from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Uterine Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts, Endometriosis, Pelvic Floor Problems, Ectopic Pregnancies, and Gynecologic Cancers.