Ovary Cancer

Ovarian cancer refers to any cancerous growth that begins in the ovary. This is the part of the female body that produces eggs.

Symptoms

Most ovarian cancers start in the epithelium, or outer lining, of the ovary. In the early stages, there may be few or no symptoms.

If symptoms do occur, they can resemble those of other conditions, such as premenstrual syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, or a temporary bladder problem. However, in ovarian cancer, the symptoms will persist and worsen.

Early symptoms may include:

• pain or pressure in the pelvis
• unexpected vaginal bleeding
• pain in the back or abdomen
• bloating
• feeling full rapidly when eating
• changes in urination patterns, such as more frequent urination
• changes in bowel habits, such as constipation

If any of these symptoms last for 2 weeks or more, a person should see a doctor.

There may also be:

• nausea and indigestion
• appetite loss
• weight loss
• breathlessness
• fatigue

Types

There are over 30 types of ovarian cancer, depending on the type of cell in which they start.

There are three common cell types:

• epithelial cells, which occur in the lining of the surface of the ovary
• germ cells, which will become eggs for reproduction
• stromal cells, which release hormones and link up the structures of the ovaries

Epithelial tumors are the most common and the most invasive. They occur in around 85–90% of people with ovarian cancer.

Germ cell tumors are often benign. In 90% of cases that become cancerous, treatment is effective.