Cancer occurs when cells in an area of the body grow abnormally. Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women. There are three types of ovarian cancer:
(1) epithelial ovarian cancer
(2) germ cell cancer and
(3) stromal cell cancer.Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common and accounts for 85 percent to 89 percent of ovarian cancers.
It forms on the surface of the ovary in the epithelial cells.
It ranks fourth in cancer deaths among women and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
On the other hand, germ cell cancer is an uncommon form of ovarian cancer, accounting for only about five percent of ovarian cancers. Germ cell cancers start in the cells that form the eggs in the ovaries. This cancer is usually found in adolescent girls and young women, and usually affects only one ovary.Equally rare, stromal cell cancer starts in the cells that produce female hormones and hold the ovarian tissues together.
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome(HBOC) is an inherited condition caused by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
You and your family have learned of a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The amount of information you receive at the time of diagnosis can feel overwhelming. All at once, you may feel there are questions to be answered, decisions to be made and so much information to be understood.
Surgery is usually the first step in treating ovarian cancer and it should be performed by a surgeon with experience in gynecology and oncology. Most surgery is performed using a procedure called a laparotomy during which the surgeon makes a long cut in the wall of the abdomen.
Epithelial ovarian cancer is the umbrella term for a number of subtypes of ovarian cancer (what the cancer cells look like under the microscope), including high grade serous, endometrioid, clear cell, low-grade serous and borderline serous ovarian cancer.
Once You Have Been Treated, Then What?
In general, women are followed with exams (including a pelvic exam) every 3 to 4 months for 3 years, and then every 6 months. In addition, CA 125, and imaging studies such as x-rays, CT scans or MRIs may be periodically performed, especially if you have any new pains or symptoms.
