Cancer of the Ovary (Ovarian Cancer)

What is cancer of the ovary (ovarian cancer)?

Ovarian cancer is a malignant growth that develops in a woman's ovaries. The growth may be an ovarian cyst (a fluid-filled sac) or a solid tumor.

The ovaries are glands located on either side of the uterus (womb) in a woman's lower abdomen. They are part of the reproductive system. The ovaries produce female hormones. Before menopause, they also produce eggs.

There are several kinds of ovarian cancer. Most ovarian cancer occurs in women over age 50. If the cancer is not discovered early and treated promptly, it can be fatal. If it is treated early, there is a good chance of a cure.

How does it occur?

The cause of ovarian cancer is not known. However, you may have an increased risk of getting ovarian cancer if:

Your mother, sister, or daughter had ovarian cancer.
You or members of your family have had breast or colon cancer.
You have never given birth to a child.

Women who use birth control pills or breast-feed appear to have a lower risk of getting ovarian cancer. Also, the more pregnancies you have had, the less likely it is you will have ovarian cancer.

Cancer growth may start in the ovary and spread to other parts of the body such as the liver or lungs. Cancer can also spread to the ovary from some other part of the body, such as the breast, uterus, intestine, or stomach.

What are the symptoms?

Ovarian cancer is very hard to detect in its early stages because there are often no symptoms until the cancer is in an advanced stage. When symptoms do appear, they may include:

bloating, swelling, discomfort, pain in the lower abdomen
gas, nausea, diarrhea, constipation
loss of appetite, weight loss
frequent urination
leg pain or swelling
abnormal vaginal bleeding
fatigue.

If the cancer has spread to the lungs, you may have shortness of breath caused by fluid in the lungs.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will have a physical exam. Other exams and tests you may have are:

pelvic exam
blood tests
x-rays, such as a chest x-ray or a barium enema study
computed tomography (CT) scans
ultrasound scans
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

It may be necessary to examine a small sample of tissue (biopsy) under a microscope to confirm that cancer is present. A sample may be taken through a viewing tube (laparoscope) inserted through the abdominal wall. Another option is to remove the affected ovary surgically for examination. Samples of nearby lymph nodes can be taken at the same time to check for spread of cancer beyond the ovary.

How is it treated?

You will have one or more of the following treatments:

surgery
radiation
chemotherapy.

Usually both ovaries, the uterus, the fallopian tubes (tubes from the ovaries to the uterus), and nearby lymph nodes are removed. After surgery, you may have radiation or anticancer drugs (chemotherapy) to kill the cancer cells and stop the cancer from coming back or spreading.

Sometimes, in younger women who have certain types of ovarian cancer and would still like to have children, only the cancerous ovary is removed. The other ovary is examined closely and a small piece of tissue taken from it to see if leaving it will cause problems.

If your ovaries are removed, your health care provider may advise you to take hormones that are normally produced by the ovaries. If you have not already gone through menopause, after the surgery you may have symptoms similar to menopause.

How long will the effects last?

The earlier ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better are the chances for your long-term survival. The 5-year survival rate is over 90% when the cancer is identified and treated at an early stage. For those whose cancer has spread beyond the ovaries the survival rates are much lower.

How can I take care of myself?

Eat a balanced diet, get plenty of rest, and follow your health care provider's advice.

Joining a cancer support group can be very helpful. The support group can help you learn a lot about your care, treatment, and the cancer. Your local chapter of the American Cancer Society (ACS) may offer support groups. Look in the phone book for your local chapter.

For more information on cancer, you can contact:

American Cancer Society, Inc.
Phone: 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
Web site: http://www.cancer.org
AMC Cancer Research Center and Foundation
Phone: 800-525-3777
Web site: http://www.amc.org
Cancer Information Service
Phone: 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
Web site: http://www.cancer.gov/cancer_information

What can I do to help prevent ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer can't be prevented. However, there are things you can do that may help you detect it early and improve your chances of survival:

Have a pelvic exam every year, or as often as your health care provider recommends, so that your ovaries are checked regularly.
Tell your provider if your legs or abdomen have ongoing, unexplained discomfort or swelling.
Tell your provider if you lose weight, have shortness of breath, and always feel tired.
See your provider as soon as possible if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, including bleeding after menopause.

If you are over 40 and you are planning to have a hysterectomy for other reasons, discuss with your provider the possible removal of your ovaries as well.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File CNC3533F.HTM Release 9.0/2006