TAH BSO

Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy. This is an operation to remove the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

 

Thoracentesis 

A process in which fluid build up, as a result of ovarian cancer is drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle.

 

Thrombocytopenia                                                                                                                                      Decreased number of platelets that can lead to bleeding.

 

Transvaginal ultrasound scan                                                                                                                                An ultrasound examination where a small instrument is inserted into the vagina to give a clear picture of the inside of the uterus and the ovaries.

 

Tumour markers, e.g. CA125

Substances produced by some cancers that can be found in the blood.  These can be used to screen for a cancer, to see if treatment is successful or to see if the disease comes back.  The marker for ovarian cancer is CA125.

 

Tumour suppressor gene

A gene encoding a protein that normally limits cell growth and can suppress or block the development of cancer. Loss of function of these genes is believed to be a necessary prerequisite for tumour development. BRCA1 and p53 are well-known tumour suppressor genes.