Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisStagesTreatmentPreventionOutlookCopingNext in Ovarian Cancer GuideOvarian Cancer Symptoms
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Stages
Treatment
Prevention
Outlook
Coping
Next in Ovarian Cancer Guide
Ovarian cancerstarts in cells on or in an ovary. Early symptoms tend to be mild, allowing it to spread to the fallopian tube or other organs within the pelvic area before it’s detected.
Ovarian cancer can develop at any age. But it’s most common in postmenopausal women.
This article discusses ovarian cancer’s risk factors, symptoms, treatment options, and fertility.
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Types of Ovarian Cancer
The three main types of ovarian cancer are:
Worldwide, ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women.New U.S. cases in 2022 were estimated at 19,880. About 1.1% of women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer during their lifetime.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
About 65% of all ovarian cancers are advanced at diagnosis.One key reason is that earlysymptomscan be unspecific and unrecognized, earning the disease a reputation as a silent killer.
Early Signs
Ovarian cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in the early stages. The symptoms that do occur tend to be rather vague and can easily be attributed to something else. Early signs are likely to be persistent and include:
Later Symptoms
Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:
After menopause, additional symptoms may include unusual vaginal discharge orvaginal bleeding.
What Causes Ovarian Cancer?
It’s not clear exactly what causes a person to develop ovarian cancer.Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors may all play a role.
Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer
The risk of getting ovarian cancer increases with age. It’s rare in women under age 40. More than half of all cases occur in women who are 63 or older.
Otherovarian cancer risk factorsinclude:
Having risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll get ovarian cancer. It’s also possible to get ovarian cancer even without apparent risk factors.
How to Diagnose Ovarian Cancer
Coming to adiagnosisis likely to start with your healthcare provider taking your medical history and performing a complete physical examination.
Ultrasound and Imaging Tests
Atransvaginal ultrasounduses sound waves to produce images of the abdominal organs, including the ovaries. Other imaging tests that can help detect ovarian cancer are:
Blood Tests
The cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) blood test checks for epithelial ovarian cancers. A high level of CA-125 can be an indicator of ovarian cancer.
Other blood tests help screen for other types of cancers. Inhibin and HCG screen for certain germ cell tumors (forming in the egg cells of the ovary). CEA and CA19-9 screens for rare subtypes of mucinous ovarian cancers (large fluid-filled cells).
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopyinvolves a small incision in your lower abdomen. Through this opening, a practitioner can view the ovaries and surrounding area using a thin, lighted tube. The small hysteroscope instrument is used to evaluate and confirm the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Can a Pap Smear Detect Ovarian Cancer?
You may get a Pap test and a pelvic exam as you seek a diagnosis. However, a Pap test checks forcervical cancer. It can’t detect ovarian cancer.
A pelvic exam is an important part of ovarian cancer screening. A healthcare provider would perform a pelvic exam that includes a bimanual exam (in which two fingers are inserted into the vagina to feel the uterus and ovaries). Sometimes, this is one of the first ways that an ovarian mass is felt.
Ovarian Cyst vs Ovarian CancerAnovarian cystis a sac that forms on or in an ovary, typically filled with fluid. Most ovarian cysts are harmless, and many clear up without treatment. Ovarian cancer, however, has to do with DNA mutations.Cancer can destroy healthy tissue and spread to other body areas without treatment.
Ovarian Cyst vs Ovarian Cancer
Anovarian cystis a sac that forms on or in an ovary, typically filled with fluid. Most ovarian cysts are harmless, and many clear up without treatment. Ovarian cancer, however, has to do with DNA mutations.Cancer can destroy healthy tissue and spread to other body areas without treatment.
Ovarian Cancer Stages
Ovarian cancer is divided into four stages:
Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Ovarian cancer treatmentdepends on many factors and the stage at diagnosis. It may involve a combination of several types of therapies.
Surgery
The goal of surgery is to remove as much cancer as possible. Types of surgery for ovarian cancer include:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapycan shrink or destroy cancer cells throughout the body. Chemo may be recommended for cancer cells left behind after surgery, for cancer that has spread, or to help prevent a recurrence.
Some chemo drugs are available in pill form, while others require intravenous (IV) administration. Women with ovarian cancer might also have intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy, a treatment in which drugs are delivered directly into the abdomen through a thin tube.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapyuses X-rays to destroy cancer cells. Treatment for ovarian cancer may involve IP radiation therapy, so the radioactive liquid is placed into the abdomen through a catheter.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies attack specific characteristics of cancer cells. In ovarian cancer, this may include:
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapyis used to block hormones that help cancer grow. It might treat ovarian stromal tumors but rarely is prescribed for epithelial ovarian cancer. Hormone therapy may include:
Ovarian Cancer Treatments and Fertility
Surgery and other ovarian cancer treatments can affect fertility. But there are options for those who want to get pregnant in the future. These options depend on cancer’s stage, type, and location. When caught early, options may include:
It’s important to discuss fertility concerns with a healthcare provider before you start treatment.
The ovaries play a key role in female fertility.These two small organs are located on either side of the uterus. They are the main producers of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, holding the lifetime supply of eggs necessary for human reproduction.
Can You Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
If you think you may be at high risk for developing ovarian cancer, ask your provider for more information on screening and preventive treatment options.
Outlook for Ovarian Cancer
The low five-year survival rate may reflect the delay and difficulty in diagnosing ovarian cancer in the early stages.
These statistics are of women diagnosed more than five years ago and may not reflect the latest treatments. As with all cancers, there are many variables. Your individual outlook depends on factors such as stage at diagnosis, age, and overall health. Your oncologist can give you a better understanding of your own prognosis.
Living With Ovarian Cancer: Support and Resources
Living with ovarian cancer can be challenging in many ways. Your oncology team may be able to point you toward resources in your area. You can search for additional support and resources here:
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19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Ovarian cancer risk factors.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Ovarian cancer.Oliveira DVNP, Prahm KP, Christensen IJ, Hansen A, Høgdall CK, Høgdall EV.Gene expression profile association with poor prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer patients.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):5438. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-84953-9National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts -ovarian cancer.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ovarian cancer.American Cancer Society.What causes ovarian cancer?Momenimovahed Z, Tiznobaik A, Taheri S, Salehiniya H.Ovarian cancer in the world: epidemiology and risk factors.International Journal of Women’s Health. 2019;11:287-299.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?MedlinePlus.CA-125 blood test (ovarian cancer).American Cancer Society.Tests for ovarian cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ovarian cancer.The James. The Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center.Ovarian cancer treatment.Radu MR, Prădatu A, Duică F, et al.Ovarian cancer: biomarkers and targeted therapy.Biomedicines. 2021;9(6):693. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9060693American Cancer Society.Hormone therapy for ovarian cancer.Kim SY, Lee JR.Fertility preservation option in young women with ovarian cancer.Future Oncology. 2016;12(14):1695-1698. doi:10.2217/fon-2016-0181U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Final recommendation statement. Ovarian cancer: Screening.Henderson JT, Webber EM, Sawaya GF.Screening for ovarian cancer: updated evidence report and systematic review for the us preventive services task force.JAMA. 2018;319(6):595. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.21421
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Ovarian cancer risk factors.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Ovarian cancer.Oliveira DVNP, Prahm KP, Christensen IJ, Hansen A, Høgdall CK, Høgdall EV.Gene expression profile association with poor prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer patients.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):5438. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-84953-9National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts -ovarian cancer.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ovarian cancer.American Cancer Society.What causes ovarian cancer?Momenimovahed Z, Tiznobaik A, Taheri S, Salehiniya H.Ovarian cancer in the world: epidemiology and risk factors.International Journal of Women’s Health. 2019;11:287-299.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?MedlinePlus.CA-125 blood test (ovarian cancer).American Cancer Society.Tests for ovarian cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ovarian cancer.The James. The Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center.Ovarian cancer treatment.Radu MR, Prădatu A, Duică F, et al.Ovarian cancer: biomarkers and targeted therapy.Biomedicines. 2021;9(6):693. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9060693American Cancer Society.Hormone therapy for ovarian cancer.Kim SY, Lee JR.Fertility preservation option in young women with ovarian cancer.Future Oncology. 2016;12(14):1695-1698. doi:10.2217/fon-2016-0181U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Final recommendation statement. Ovarian cancer: Screening.Henderson JT, Webber EM, Sawaya GF.Screening for ovarian cancer: updated evidence report and systematic review for the us preventive services task force.JAMA. 2018;319(6):595. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.21421
American Cancer Society.Ovarian cancer risk factors.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Ovarian cancer.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ovarian cancer.
American Cancer Society.What causes ovarian cancer?
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?
MedlinePlus.CA-125 blood test (ovarian cancer).
American Cancer Society.Tests for ovarian cancer.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ovarian cancer.
The James. The Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center.Ovarian cancer treatment.
Radu MR, Prădatu A, Duică F, et al.Ovarian cancer: biomarkers and targeted therapy.Biomedicines. 2021;9(6):693. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9060693
American Cancer Society.Hormone therapy for ovarian cancer.
Kim SY, Lee JR.Fertility preservation option in young women with ovarian cancer.Future Oncology. 2016;12(14):1695-1698. doi:10.2217/fon-2016-0181
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Final recommendation statement. Ovarian cancer: Screening.
Henderson JT, Webber EM, Sawaya GF.Screening for ovarian cancer: updated evidence report and systematic review for the us preventive services task force.JAMA. 2018;319(6):595. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.21421
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