Ovarian Cancer

What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a disease in which cells in the ovaries multiply and grow abnormally. The ovaries are almond-sized female reproductive organs that produce eggs, as well as the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Women usually have two ovaries located in the pelvis — one on each side of the uterus. If the genes that control cell growth in the ovaries no longer work properly, the cell divides uncontrollably and may form a tumor.

What are the different types of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer can develop in different types of cells that make up the ovaries. These include:

• surface epithelial cells, which cover the outer surface of the ovaries
• germ cells, which ultimately form eggs
• stromal cells, which help hold the ovary together and release estrogen and progesterone

Ninety percent of ovarian tumors develop in the surface epithelial cells. Cancer in these cells often arises at the end of the fallopian tubes, which are located on each side of the uterus. The eggs travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. Cancer also can develop in the peritoneum, the tissue linking the wall and covering the organs of the abdomen. Ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer are basically treated the same way.