Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that

begins in the ovaries. Women have two

ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. The
ovaries each about the size of an almond
produce eggs (ova) as well as the
hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it
has spread within the pelvis and abdomen.
At this late stage, ovarian cancer is more
difficult to treat and is frequently fatal. Earlystage ovarian cancer, in which the disease is
confined to the ovary, is more likely to be
treated successfully.
Surgery and chemotherapy are generally
used to treat ovarian cancer.
Symptoms
Early-stage ovarian cancer rarely causes any
symptoms. Advanced-stage ovarian cancer
may cause few and nonspecific symptoms
that are often mistaken for more common
benign conditions, such as constipation or
irritable bowel.
Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may
include:

Abdominal bloating or swelling

Quickly feeling full when eating

Weight loss

Discomfort in the pelvis area

Changes in bowel habits, such as

If you have a family history of ovarian cancer

or breast cancer, talk to your doctor about
your risk of ovarian cancer. Your doctor may
refer you to a genetic counselor to discuss
testing for certain gene mutations that
increase your risk of breast and ovarian
cancers. Only a small number of women are
found to have genetic mutations that can
lead to ovarian cancer.
Causes
It's not clear what causes ovarian cancer.
In general, cancer begins when a genetic
mutation turns normal cells into abnormal
cancer cells. Cancer cells quickly multiply,
forming a mass (tumor). They can invade
nearby tissues and break off from an initial
tumor to spread elsewhere in the body
(metastasize).
Types of ovarian cancer
The type of cell where the cancer begins
determines the type of ovarian cancer you
have. Ovarian cancer types include:

Epithelial tumors, which begin in the

thin layer of tissue that covers the outside

of the ovaries. About 90 percent of
ovarian cancers are epithelial tumors.
Stromal tumors, which begin in the
ovarian tissue that contains hormoneproducing cells. These tumors are usually
diagnosed at an earlier stage than other
ovarian tumors. About 7 percent of
ovarian tumors are stromal.

constipation

A frequent need to urinate

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you
have any signs or symptoms that worry you.

Germ cell tumors, which begin in the

egg-producing cells. These rare ovarian
cancers tend to occur in younger women.

Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic Staff

Certain factors may increase your risk of

ovarian cancer:

Age. Ovarian cancer can occur at any

age but is most common in women ages
50 to 60 years.
Inherited gene mutation. A small
percentage of ovarian cancers are caused
by an inherited gene mutation. The genes
known to increase the risk of ovarian
cancer are called breast cancer gene 1
(BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2
(BRCA2). These genes were originally
identified in families with multiple cases
of breast cancer, which is how they got
their names, but women with these
mutations also have a significantly
increased risk of ovarian cancer.
The gene mutations that cause Lynch
syndrome, which is associated with colon
cancer, also increase a woman's risk of
ovarian cancer.

Estrogen hormone replacement

therapy, especially with long-term use

and in large doses.
Age when menstruation started
and ended. If you began menstruating
before age 12 or underwent menopause
after age 52, or both, your risk of ovarian
cancer may be higher.

Tests and diagnosis

Your doctor is likely to start with a pelvic
examination:

The outer part of your genitals is

carefully inspected.
The doctor then inserts two gloved
fingers into the vagina and
simultaneously presses a hand on your
abdomen to feel your uterus and ovaries.

A device (speculum) is inserted into

the vagina so that the doctor can visually
check for abnormalities.

Your doctor also may recommend:

Imaging tests, such as ultrasound or

CT scans, of your abdomen and pelvis.
These tests can help determine the size,
shape and structure of your ovaries.
Blood test, which can detect a
protein (CA 125) found on the surface of
ovarian cancer cells.

Surgery to remove a tissue sample

and abdominal fluid to confirm a
diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Minimally
invasive or robotic surgery may be an
option. If cancer is discovered, the
surgeon may immediately begin surgery
to remove as much of the cancer as
possible.

Never being pregnant.

Fertility treatment.

Staging ovarian cancer

Smoking.

Use of an intrauterine device.

Polycystic ovary syndrome.

Doctors use the results of your surgery to

help determine the extent or stage of
your cancer. Your cancer's stage helps
determine your prognosis and your
treatment options.

If you have a genetic predisposition to

ovarian cancer, your doctor may recommend
regular pelvic imaging and blood tests to
screen for the disease.

Stages of ovarian cancer include:

Stage I. Cancer is found in one or

both ovaries.
Stage II. Cancer has spread to other
parts of the pelvis.

Stage III. Cancer has spread to the

abdomen.

Prevention
There's no sure way to prevent ovarian
cancer. But certain factors are associated
with lower risk:

Stage IV. Cancer is found outside the

abdomen.

Treatments and drugs

Treatment of ovarian cancer usually involves
a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.
Surgery
Treatment generally involves removing both
ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus as
well as nearby lymph nodes and a fold of
fatty abdominal tissue (omentum) where
ovarian cancer often spreads. Your surgeon
also will remove as much cancer as possible
from your abdomen.
Less extensive surgery may be possible if
your ovarian cancer was diagnosed at a very
early stage. For women with stage I ovarian
cancer, surgery may involve removing one
ovary and its fallopian tube. This procedure
may preserve the ability to have children.
Chemotherapy
After surgery, you'll likely be treated with
chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer
cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be injected
into a vein or directly into the abdominal
cavity or both.
Chemotherapy may be used as the initial
treatment in some women with advanced
ovarian cancer.

Use of oral contraceptives, especially

for more than 10 years
Previous pregnancy

History of breast-feeding

Daily use of aspirin