Ovarian Cancer

What It Is

Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries, a pair of almond-sized organs of the female reproductive system that produces eggs and female hormones.

There are several types of ovarian cancer:

• Ovarian epithelial cancer, which develops in the tissue covering the ovary. This is the most common type of ovarian cancer.
• Ovarian germ cell tumors, which develop in the egg-producing cells in the ovary
• Ovarian stromal tumors, which begin in the tissue surrounding the ovary

Ovarian cancer cells may also spread to other tissues and organs. The cancer cells may "shed" from the ovary and form new tumors within the abdominal cavity. The cells may also enter the blood or the lymphatic system and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

 

Ovarian Cancer Stages

When a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, her doctor needs to determine whether cancer cells have spread within the ovary or to other parts of the body. This determines the stage of the cancer and helps determine treatment. Staging is performed during initial surgery for the cancer.

Stages of ovarian cancer are:

• Stage I, where cancer cells are found in one or both of the ovaries
• Stage II, in which the cancer is found in one or both ovaries and has spread to other areas of the lower abdomen (pelvis)
• Stage III, whereby cancer is found in one or both ovaries and has spread to other areas in the abdomen.
• Stage IV, where cancer is found in one or both ovaries and has metastasized to parts of the body outside of the abdomen and within the liver

Recurrent ovarian cancer is cancer that has returned after it has been treated.

 

Who Is More At Risk

According to the American Cancer Society, about 25,580 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in the United States during 2004. Ovarian cancer accounts for 4% of all cancers in women and is the fifth most common cancer in women (not counting non-melanoma skin cancers).

The following factors have been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer:

• Family history: Women with a first-degree relative (ie, mother, sister, or daughter) who has had ovarian cancer have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer themselves. Having another female relative also raises a woman's risk, but to a lesser degree. A family history of breast cancer or colon cancer also increases a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer.
• Age: A woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer increases as she gets older. Most cases of ovarian cancer occur in women over 50, with the highest risk in those over 60, but it can also occur in younger women.
• Reproductive history: Never having children increases a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding and taking birth control pills may decrease a woman's risk. These findings suggest that a reduced number of ovulations in a woman's lifetime may be associated with a reduced risk of the disease.
• Personal history: A woman may have an increased chance of developing ovarian cancer if she has had breast or colon cancer.
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): It has been suggested that use of HRT after menopause may slightly raise a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer.
• Use of fertility drugs: Use of fertility drugs may slightly increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
• Talc: Some studies suggest that women who have used talc (talcum powder) in the genital area for many years may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

It is important to remember that most women who develop ovarian cancer have no known risk factors for the disease. In addition, having one or more of these risk factors does not mean a woman will develop cancer, but only that she may be at an increased risk.

 

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