Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a <a href="/facts/Cancerous/PVW6n1D0">cancerous</a> <a href="/facts/Ovarian_tumor/Mn4wp1Ch">tumor</a> of an <a href="/facts/Ovary/z2hG6bNy">ovary</a>. It may originate from the ovary itself or more commonly from communicating nearby structures such as <a href="/facts/Fallopian_tube/oyRcvAxE">fallopian tubes</a> or the <a href="/facts/Peritoneum/BotJhUr0">inner lining of the abdomen</a>. The ovary is made up of three different cell types including epithelial cells, germ cells, and stromal cells. When these cells become abnormal, they have the ability to divide and form tumors. These cells can also invade or <a href="/facts/Metastasis/4dadbm6z">spread</a> to other parts of the body. When this process begins, there may be no or only vague symptoms. Symptoms become more noticeable as the cancer progresses. These symptoms may include <a href="/facts/Bloating/GnjG2Mdz">bloating</a>, vaginal bleeding, <a href="/facts/Pelvic_pain/xvCGjdmm">pelvic pain</a>, <a href="/facts/Ascites/sftkD7MA">abdominal swelling</a>, <a href="/facts/Constipation/l4DHHM6L">constipation</a>, and <a href="/facts/Anorexia_(symptom)/G7RsaXp9">loss of appetite</a>, among others. Common areas to which the cancer may spread include the <a href="/facts/Peritoneum/BotJhUr0">lining of the abdomen</a>, <a href="/facts/Lymph_node/vkwfcQjH">lymph nodes</a>, <a href="/facts/Lungs/gTWXI6Fj">lungs</a>, and <a href="/facts/Liver/Rtp4Fk2b">liver</a>.
The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age. Most cases of ovarian cancer develop after menopause. It is also more common in women who have <a href="/facts/Ovulate/0K3MLdAv">ovulated</a> more over their lifetime. This includes those who have <a href="/facts/Nulliparity/NU0Vs5uT">never had children</a>, those who began ovulation at a younger age and those who reach menopause at an older age. Other risk factors include <a href="/facts/Hormone_therapy/8QNWRguk">hormone therapy</a> after <a href="/facts/Menopause/b3Fz6NHb">menopause</a>, <a href="/facts/Fertility_medication/lRKexQT4">fertility medication</a>, and <a href="/facts/Obesity/RBF9y5Vl">obesity</a>. Factors that decrease risk include <a href="/facts/Hormonal_birth_control/xVw5DPGT">hormonal birth control</a>, <a href="/facts/Tubal_ligation/7AHjL2h2">tubal ligation</a>, pregnancy, and <a href="/facts/Breast_feeding/cdWXyYDX">breast feeding</a>. About 10% of cases are related to inherited genetic risk; women with mutations in the genes <a href="/facts/BRCA1/xHDwxARA">BRCA1</a> or <a href="/facts/BRCA2/eDUI83G1">BRCA2</a> have about a 50% chance of developing the disease. Some family cancer syndromes such as hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome also increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Epithelial ovarian carcinoma is the most common type of ovarian cancer, comprising more than 95% of cases. There are five main subtypes of ovarian carcinoma, of which <a href="/facts/High-grade_serous_carcinoma/03f2TFR9">high-grade serous carcinoma</a> (HGSC) is the most common. Less common types of ovarian cancer include <a href="/facts/Germ_cell_tumor/GUT0PtFk">germ cell tumors</a> and <a href="/facts/Sex_cord_stromal_tumor/vctxzKaP">sex cord stromal tumors</a>. A diagnosis of ovarian cancer is confirmed through a <a href="/facts/Biopsy/A0TdRRlr">biopsy</a> of tissue, usually removed during surgery.
<a href="/facts/Screening_(medicine)/YhrXum3t">Screening</a> is not recommended in women who are at average risk, as evidence does not support a reduction in death and the high rate of <a href="/facts/False_positives_and_false_negatives/jkC44hML">false positive tests</a> may lead to unneeded surgery, which is accompanied by its own risks. Those at very high risk may have their ovaries removed as a preventive measure. If caught and treated in an early stage, ovarian cancer is often curable. Treatment usually includes some combination of surgery, <a href="/facts/Radiation_therapy/j60q5EC6">radiation therapy</a>, and <a href="/facts/Chemotherapy/fWTLbaUT">chemotherapy</a>. Outcomes depend on the extent of the disease, the subtype of cancer present, and other medical conditions. The overall <a href="/facts/Five-year_survival_rate/C6PENRfq">five-year survival rate</a> in the United States is 49%. Outcomes are worse in the developing world.
In 2020, new cases occurred in approximately 313,000 women. In 2019 it resulted in 13,445 deaths in the United States. Death from ovarian cancer increased globally between 1990 and 2017 by 84.2%. Ovarian cancer is the second-most common <a href="/facts/Gynecologic_cancer/h2YpIoPD">gynecologic cancer</a> in the United States. It causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. Among women it ranks fifth in cancer-related deaths. The typical age of diagnosis is 63. Death from ovarian cancer is more common in North America and Europe than in Africa and Asia. In the United States, it is more common in White and Hispanic women than Black or American Indian women.

Ovarian cancer open-in-new

Ovarian cancer