Ovarian cancer is not a common disease, but it accounts for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. When women are diagnosed with cancer limited to the ovary that has not spread, their chance of survival is often high. Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries — small organs in the female reproductive system where eggs form. Ovarian cancer is sometimes difficult to detect because symptoms often don’t develop until later stages. Ovarian cancer was treated with surgery, chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.
Types of ovarian cancer:
The type of cell where the cancer begins determines the type of ovarian cancer you have and helps your doctor determine which treatments are best for you. Ovarian cancer types include:
- Epithelial ovarian cancer. This type is the most common. It includes several subtypes, including serous carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma.
- Stromal tumors. These rare tumors are usually diagnosed at an earlier stage than other ovarian cancers.
- Germ cell tumors. These rare ovarian cancers tend to occur at a younger age.