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About Ovarian Cancer 

Ovarian cancer is the seventh most deadly type of cancer affecting women in the United States.[22, 37]

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Cancer is a disease that occurs when cells in the body grow uncontrollably.[3,12] Cancer cells may take over nearby tissue and can spread to other parts of the body. Types of cancers are named based on the part of the body where they start.[3]

 

Ovaries are almond-shaped organs located on the left and right sides of the uterus in individuals born with a female reproductive system. Ovaries produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone and store eggs.[43]

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Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells in and around the ovaries (including the fallopian tubes and peritoneum) grow out of control and destroy healthy cells. The disease can spread through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.[43]
 

From FreePik by brgfx</a> on Freepik, 2023, (https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/scientific-medical-illustration-female-repoductive-system_5157442.htm#query=vagina%20anatomy&position=0&from_view=search&track=sph">)

Who is at Risk?

The cause of ovarian cancer is unclear. However, several factors may increase an individual's risk, including: [5, 21, 37,55]

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  • Being a woman or having ovaries and fallopian tubes

  • Being middle-aged or older

  • Obesity

  • Smoking

  • Alcohol

  • Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish background

  • Having endometriosis

  • Fertility treatments

  • Post-menopause hormone therapy

  • Having children at an older age

  • Difficulty getting pregnant or never carrying a pregnancy to full term

  • Personal history of other types of cancers (including breast, uterine, or colorectal cancer)

  • Family history of ovarian, uterine, colorectal, or breast cancer

  • Family cancer syndromes (like Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, PTEN tumor hamartoma syndrome, and MUTYH-associated polyposis)

  • Inherited genetic mutations (like BRCA1 and BRCA2 or one linked to Lynch Syndrome)

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Having a low risk for ovarian cancer does not mean that an individual will not get the disease.[37]

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Having more than one risk factor may increase the risk of ovarian cancer but does not mean that an individual will get the disease. High-risk individuals should watch for signs and symptoms and promptly discuss them with their healthcare providers. [21, 37]​

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How to Reduce the Risk?

Currently, there are no known ways of preventing ovarian cancer. However, there are many ways to decrease the risk of developing the most common type, epithelial ovarian cancer:[3, 37, 39]

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  • Taking oral contraceptives for more than five years

  • Giving birth and breastfeeding

  • Tubal ligation and hysterectomy

  • Surgical removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes

  • Staying a healthy weight

  • Avoiding hormone replacement therapy after menopause

  • Genetic counseling and testing in cases of family history of syndromes

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These methods may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer; however, they are not right for everyone. Please contact your healthcare provider to discuss the risk and benefits of each method and to choose the most appropriate options for you.[47, 55]

Signs and Symptoms

Approximately 70-80% of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the advanced stages because signs and symptoms slowly emerge, vary with each person, or may be initially associated with other conditions.[36, 53, 60, 61]

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Common signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer:[18, 39, 63]

  • Feeling full quickly while eating

  • Abdominal bloating and distension

  • Pelvic pain or discomfort

  • Urinary urgency

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Less common signs and symptoms:[18, 39, 63]

  • Weight loss

  • Back pain

  • Unusual fatigue

  • Changes in bowel routine

  • Pain during sexual intercourse

Diagnosis

Ovarian cancer is diagnosed using a combination of tests and procedures:[39]

  • Pelvic exams

  • Blood tests

  • Imaging such as transvaginal ultrasound

  • Surgery: staging

  • Genetic testing
     

(You and Ovarian Cancer, 2021-a)

Types of Ovarian Cancer

There are several types of ovarian cancer, and each is identified based on the location where they started:​[5, 39, 57]

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  • Stromal tumors begin from cells that contain the ovaries and produce estrogen and progesterone. Stromal ovarian cancer is rare and is diagnosed at an early stage or age.

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  • Germ cell tumors are also rare types of ovarian cancer that are diagnosed early. These tumors begin from egg-producing cells. 

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  • Small cell carcinoma of the ovary is very rare, and the site of origin is unclear.

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  • Epithelial tumors are the most common type of ovarian cancer and begin on the surface of the ovary. About 50% of cases occur in women over 63 years old.[5]

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Stages of Ovarian Cancer

Staging is necessary to determine the prognosis and plan for treatment. An individual's cancer stage is obtained through diagnostic tests, imaging, and samples acquired during the initial surgery (known as staging surgery).[9, 45, 56]

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Most ovarian cancers, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal are staged using the TNM system. The TNM system uses results from staging surgery to classify the extent of the primary tumor (T), determine whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes (N), and whether there is metastasis (M).[9]  There are four stages of ovarian cancer:[9,45,56]

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Survival Rates for Ovarian Cancer

OCRA & American Cancer Society

Survival rates can provide insight into what number (%) of people with the same type and stage of cancer are still alive within a specific period of time (typically 5 years) after diagnosis.[6]

 

Please note that survival rates are estimates based on large studies and cannot predict what will happen in a specific case. While survival rates cannot tell you how long you will live, they may help you understand the potential of your treatment's success.[6]

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Visit the American Cancer Society online to learn more about survival rates for ovarian cancer.

 

Ask your oncology team to discuss how these numbers apply to your situation.

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Your Healthcare
Team

Your healthcare team will include a number of disciplines working together to take care of you. The team may include:[2]

  • Advanced practice providers

  • Gynecologic oncologist

  • Gynecologic oncology surgeon

  • Medical oncologist

  • Genetic counselor

  • Nurse navigator

  • Cancer care rehabilitation team: physical medicine and rehabilitation provider, occupational therapist, and physical therapists. 

  • Infusion nurse

  • Oncology nurse

  • Oncology dietitian 

  • Oncology social worker

  • Pathologist

  • Palliative care provider

  • Radiation oncologist

  • Radiologist​​

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Remember, you are the focus of their efforts. Ask each healthcare provider about their role in your care and take notes if needed. 

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