Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer is cancer of the ovary. It is often undiagnosed or diagnosed late because the tumor is difficulty to detect and there are no early symptoms. Symptoms noticed are often those of the spread of the tumor to other organs, such as abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, indigestion, ascites, weight loss
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Introduction: Ovarian Cancer
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other body parts later.
When cancer starts in
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Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer often causes signs and symptoms, so it is important to pay attention to your body and know what is normal for you. Symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is
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Complications of Ovarian Cancer
Cancers that start in the ovaries can spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis. Cancer that starts in the ovaries and spreads to other parts of the body is still called ovarian cancer.
...Source: OWH (DHHS)
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Causes of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian epithelial cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer are diseases in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissue covering the ovary or lining the fallopian tube or peritoneum.
...Source: NCI (NIH)4
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Causes List for Ovarian Cancer
Some possible causes of Ovarian Cancer or similar disorders may include:5
- BRCA1 hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (ovarian cancer)
- BRCA2 hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (ovarian cancer)
- Cancer (ovarian cancer)
- Endometriosis (ovarian cancer)
- Familial breast cancer ...
Types of Ovarian Cancer
There are several types of malignant ovarian tumors:
- Germ cell tumors: Tumors that start in egg cells in females. These are the most common ovarian tumors in girls.
- Epithelial tumors: Tumors that start in the tissue covering the ovary. These ...
Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer
Tests to diagnose and stage ovarian cancer may include the following:
- Physical exam and history.
- CT scan.
- MRI.
- Ultrasound.
- Biopsy.
See the General Information section for a description of these tests and procedures.
During surgery to remove the tumor, fluid
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Genetics of Ovarian Cancer
What are BRCA1 and BRCA2?
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that produce tumor suppressor proteins. These proteins help repair damaged DNA and, therefore, play a role in ensuring the stability of the cell’s genetic material. When either of
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Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer
The risk of ovarian cancer is increased by having one of the following conditions:
- Ollier disease (a disorder that causes abnormal growth of cartilage at the end of long bones).
- Maffucci syndrome (a disorder that causes abnormal growth of cartilage ...
Treatments: Ovarian Cancer
What targeted therapies have been approved for specific types of cancer?
Ovarian epithelial/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancers: Bevacizumab (Avastin®), olaparib (Lynparza™)
...Source: NCI (NIH)8
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Prevention of Ovarian Cancer
Women with an increased risk of ovarian cancer may consider surgery to lessen the risk.
Some women who have an increased risk of ovarian cancer may choose to have a risk-reducing oophorectomy (the removal of healthy ovaries so that
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Names and Terminology
Other Names for This Condition
- cancer of the ovary
- malignant neoplasm of the ovary
- malignant tumor of the ovary
- ovarian carcinoma
Source: GHR (NLM/NIH)
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References
- Source: CDC Cancer: cdc.gov/ cancer/ ovarian/ index.htm
- ibid.
- Source: OWH (DHHS): womenshealth.gov/ cancer/ ovarian-cancer
- Source: NCI (NIH): cancer.gov/ types/ ovarian/ patient/ ovarian-epithelial-treatment-pdq
- Source: Algorithmically Generated List
- Source: NCI (NIH): cancer.gov/ types/ childhood-cancers/ patient/ unusual-cancers-childhood-pdq
- Source: NCI (NIH): cancer.gov/ about-cancer/ causes-prevention/ genetics/ brca-fact-sheet
- Source: NCI (NIH): cancer.gov/ about-cancer/ treatment/ types/ targeted-therapies/ targeted-therapies-fact-sheet
- Source: NCI (NIH): cancer.gov/ types/ ovarian/ patient/ ovarian-epithelial-treatment-pdq
- Source: GHR (NLM/NIH): ghr.nlm.nih.gov/ condition/ ovarian-cancer
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Note: This site is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. See your doctor or other qualified medical professional for all your medical needs.