Ovarian Cancer Information
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What is Ovarian Cancer?
The ovaries lie within the female reproductive system. They release eggs and produce estrogen and progesterone, known as the female hormones. Each of the two ovaries is approximately the size of an almond.
According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, one in 58 women will develop ovarian cancer in her lifetime. Every year more than 20,000 women are diagnosed with the disease.
At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), you will find expert doctors skilled in using the latest technologies to fight ovarian cancer. Your care team, comprised of doctors and clinicians from conventional and complementary medicine departments with experience in treating ovarian cancer, will work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Types of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer begins in one of three cell types.
Surface Epithelium – These cells cover the lining of the ovaries. Though, the majority of surface epithelium tumors are benign, the majority of all ovarian cancers (approximately 80 to 90 percent) develop in the surface epithelium.
There are three common tumor subtypes:- Serous tumors are the most common within the surface epithelium accounting for approximately 40 percent of cases.
- Endometrioid tumors represent 20 percent of surface epithelium tumors and occur mostly during the senior years.
- Clear cell tumors are almost always malignant and average around six percent of epithelial tumors.
Germ Cells – These cells form eggs within the ovaries. Germ cell tumors are common among young women in their twenties and represent five to 15 percent of ovarian cancers.
There are two types of germ cell tumors:- Dysgerminoma tumors are the most common type of germ cell tumors. They do not tend to spread fast. Surprisingly, nearly one fifth of these tumors are found during pregnancy.
- Nondysgerminomatous tumors are less common.
Stromal Cells – These cells produce female hormones. Stromal cell tumors represent about five to ten percent of ovarian cancers. Also known as sex cord-stromal tumors, they are commonly associated with the overproduction of female hormones, which may cause abnormal menstrual bleeding, or an increase in male hormones, which may lead to traditionally masculine characteristics (e.g. low voice, lack of menstrual period, etc.)
There are several cord-stromal tumor subtypes:- Granulosa stromal cell tumors are common in postmenopausal women.
- Sertoli and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors are rare and mostly afflict young women.
At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) you will find expert oncologists skilled in treating ovarian cancer. Your care team will explain your treatment options, potential side effects of treatment, and how they can help you throughout your journey.
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