Ovarian Cancer Overview
Ovarian Cancer FAQ
What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include frequently (roughly 12 or more times a month) having: pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between the hips (pelvis) These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions. But it's still important to get them checked by a GP.
How does ovarian cancer start?
Doctors know that ovarian cancer begins when cells in or near the ovaries develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. The changes tell the cells to grow and multiply quickly, creating a mass (tumor) of cancer cells. The cancer cells continue living when healthy cells would die.
How is ovarian cancer treated?
Ovarian cancer treatment usually involves surgery and chemotherapy. When ovarian cancer first develops, it might not cause any noticeable symptoms. When ovarian cancer symptoms happen, they're usually attributed to other, more common conditions. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.
What are the different types of ovarian cancer?
The two most common types are atypical proliferative serous carcinoma and atypical proliferative mucinous carcinoma. These tumors were previously called tumors of low malignant potential (LMP tumors). These are different from typical ovarian cancers because they don’t grow into the supporting tissue of the ovary (called the ovarian stroma ).
How common is ovarian cancer?
About 1% of ovarian cancers are ovarian stromal cell tumors. More than half of stromal tumors are found in women older than 50, but about 5% of stromal tumors occur in young girls. The most common symptom of these tumors is abnormal vaginal bleeding.
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. They eventually form a growth (tumour). If not caught early, cancer cells gradually grow into the surrounding tissues. And may spread to other areas of the body.
Where does ovarian cancer start?
Doctors think most ovarian cancers start in the cells at the end of the fallopian tube and travel to the ovaries or the peritoneum. Cancers of the ovary, fallopian tube and of the peritoneum are often grouped together because they are so similar. They are treated in the same way. Ovarian cancer can affect anyone who has ovaries and fallopian tubes.
What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?
We know there are some possible risk factors for ovarian cancer. Most ovarian cancers start in the cells covering the ovaries and are called epithelial ovarian cancers. Other rare types include germ cell tumours, stromal tumours and sarcomas. The stage tells you how big your cancer is and whether it has spread.
Ovarian Cancer References
If you want to know more about Ovarian Cancer, consider exploring links below:
What Is Ovarian Cancer
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cancer/
- https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/ovarian-cancer/what-is-ovarian-cancer
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/ovarian-cancer/about/what-is-ovarian-cancer.html
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20375941
- https://ovarian.org.uk/ovarian-cancer/patient-hub/what-is-ovarian-cancer/
- https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/ovarian-cancer
- https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/about-ovarian-cancer
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