Ovarian cancer is a very uncommon form of cancer that arises within the cells of the ovarian lining. This type of cancer leads to tumors forming within the lining of the ovary. There are multiple forms of ovarian cancer, including EOC, germ cell tumor forms of ovarian cancer and sex cord-stromal tumor ovarian cancer.
Where Does Ovarian Cancer Form?
Any form of cancer occurs when cells in the body begin to multiply and grow at a rate that is out of control. Specifically, ovarian cancer first forms on the ovaries, which is made up of 3 different types of cells, each of which can form into its own form of ovarian cancer.
- Lining tumors- This form of ovarian cancer starts from the cells that cover the outer side of the ovaries. These tumors are also the most common form of ovarian cancer tumor.
- Germ cell tumors- Germ cell tumors originate from the cells contained in the egg cells, or ova within the ovaries.
- Stromal tumors- This form of tumor begins from structural tissue cells that form the ovary and produce female sex hormones.
Tumors that are benign begin on the ovary and almost never grow anywhere else in the body. However, Malignant (cancerous) tumors can spread away from the ovary, growing in other parts of the body.
How Rare is Ovarian Cancer?
While tumors in the lining is the most common kind of ovarian cancer, it can be very rare for women to develop germ cell or stromal tumors.
There are many risk factors related to ovarian cancer that can increase your chances of getting ovarian cancer. Being aware of these risk factors can help decrease the chance that one is likely to develop this form of cancer.
- Ovarian cancer is rare in women under the age of 40, with chances of developing ovarian cancer increasing after the age of 63 and with menopause
- Women who are obese have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer
- Women who underwent a full-term pregnancy after the age of 35 or who never carried a pregnancy to full term are more likely to develop ovarian cancer
- Women who utilize oral birth control medication for 3 months or more are less likely to develop ovarian cancer
- Women who underwent tubal ligation (tying off the fallopian tubes) are less likely to develop ovarian cancer
Ovarian Cancer Treatment Options
- Early detection- Researchers study proteins in the blood to find ovarian cancer early, as well as try to detect BRCA gene mutations within certain women who are at a higher risk for ovarian cancer to detect whether they are at risk
- Chemotherapy- New chemotherapy and drug combinations are being tested, with various chemotherapy drugs administered through IV to diminish the size of ovarian cancer tumors
- Immunotherapy- Tumor vaccines program the immune system to recognize and target cancer cells, reducing the size and growth potential of ovarian cancer tumors
Surgery- Removal of the ovaries and ovarian tumors is one of the most common treatment methods for ovarian cancer, ensuring tumors are unable to spread within the body.