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What Is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the ovaries. The ovaries are part of a woman's reproductive organs and are located in the lower abdomen. Symptoms for this type of cancer are often absent until late in the disease. The most common sign is enlargement of the abdomen, caused by accumulation of fluid located inside the abdominal cavity. Vague abdominal or intestinal symptoms in a woman after menopause need to be evaluated for the possibility of ovarian cancer. Regular pelvic exams are helpful in detecting the presence of ovarian cancer.

The risk for developing ovarian cancer increases with age. Factors that can put you at increased risk include:

• a family history of ovarian cancer
• no pregnancies
• having a first child at an older age or
• having had breast cancer

Treatment usually begins with surgery to remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. The use of special anticancer drugs (chemotherapy) to kill any remaining cancer cells is then started. Radiation therapy, another treatment option, uses high energy x-rays to kill the cancer cells.

The 5-year survival rate for this cancer is over 90 percent when it is identified and treated at an early stage. For women with more advanced stages of the cancer, the 5-year survival rate drops to less than 30 percent.

To learn more about ovarian cancer, call the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER.

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.
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