What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in a woman's ovaries. Cancer cells can form in three different areas in the ovaries. Cancer cells that develop on the surface of layer of the ovaries (epithelial carcinoma) are the most common. Cancer might also form from the egg-producing cells (germ cell tumors) or within the supportive tissues around the ovaries (stromal tumors).

What causes ovarian cancer?

There is no exact known cause of ovarian cancer, but certain women have a greater risk of developing the disease. Women with a mother, sister or daughter who has had ovarian cancer have a greater chance of developing this type of cancer. A family history of breast or colon cancer is also associated with an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. A woman's chance of developing ovarian cancer in her lifetime is approximately 1 in 71.

What are the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Early ovarian cancer often has no signs or symptoms or vague symptoms. Indications of ovarian cancer may not appear until the later stages of the disease. Several organizations recently have endorsed a set of symptoms that may be early indicators of the disease. These include bloating, abdominal or pelvic pain, feeling full after eating and frequent urges to urinate. If these symptoms occur every day or most days for more than two weeks a woman should consult her gynecologist. Many women do not consider these symptoms serious, which contributes to poor detection of the ovarian cancer in the early stages.