What is it?
It is a term used for various types of cancer that affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the primary peritoneal cavity. It is one of the most common cancers affecting females, particularly after menopause (over the age of 50).
What are its types?

There are more than 30 different types of ovarian cancer, which vary in their prevalence and are categorized based on the cells they affect. They are summarized into the following types:
  1. Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: This is the most common type and includes fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer.
  2. Germ Cell Cancer: This affects the reproductive cells of the ovaries and is very rare.
  3. Stromal Cell Cancer: This affects the connective tissue cells and is also very rare.
  4. Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary (SCCO): This is extremely rare, and it remains unclear whether these cells originate from epithelial cells, sex cord-stromal tissue, germ cells, or stromal cells.
What are its causes?
The primary cause of ovarian cancer remains unknown.

What are the risk factors?
  • Gender: All women are at risk of developing it.
  • Age: It is most common in women aged 50 to 75 years.
  • Family History: A family history of ovarian, breast, endometrial, or colorectal cancer increases the risk of infection by 10% to 15%.
  • Ethnicity: It is more prevalent among women in Eastern Europe.
  • Genetic Mutations: Having a specific genetic mutation, particularly in the breast cancer gene ($BRCA1$ and $BRCA2$).
  • Childbearing: Never having given birth increases the chances of developing it.
  • Hormonal Treatments: Taking certain hormone replacement therapies increases the risk.
  • Endometriosis: Suffering from endometriosis raises the likelihood of developing the disease.
  • Asbestos Exposure: Exposure to asbestos (silicate minerals).
What are its symptoms?
Ovarian cancer symptoms are often mistaken for other less serious conditions, which frequently leads to a delayed diagnosis.
Common symptoms include:
  • Persistent bloating and an increase in abdominal size.
  • Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly.
  • Pelvic and abdominal pain.
  • Urinary symptoms, such as an urgent and frequent need to urinate.
Other associated symptoms may include:
  • Changes in bowel habits (such as diarrhea or constipation).
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding (any post-menopausal bleeding must always be checked by a doctor immediately).
  • Extreme fatigue.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
When should you see a doctor?
  • If you experience persistent bloating for a long period, occurring more than 12 times a month.
  • The appearance of other ovarian cancer symptoms that do not go away.
  • Having a family history of ovarian cancer.
How is it diagnosed?
There is no specific screening test for ovarian cancer, and a cervical smear test (Pap smear) does not detect it. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the symptoms and consult a doctor when they appear. Diagnosis involves:
  • Pelvic examination.
  • Blood tests (such as tumor markers).
  • CT scan or MRI.
  • Biopsy: Taking a tissue sample for laboratory examination is the only definitive way to confirm the diagnosis.
What are its stages and grades?
Ovarian cancer is classified into stages and grades:
  • Stages: Describe the size of the cancer and how far it has spread.
  • Grades: Describe how quickly the cancer is growing and spreading (ranging from Grade 1 "slow growth" to Grade 3 "fast growth").
The four main stages of ovarian cancer are:
Stage 1: The cancer is confined to one or both ovaries.
Stage 2: The cancer has spread from the ovary to the pelvis or uterus.
Stage 3: The cancer has spread to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum), the surface of the bowel, or the lymph nodes in the pelvis or abdomen.
Stage 4: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on various factors, including how far the cancer has spread and the patient's general health. The primary treatments are:
  • Surgery: To remove as much of the cancerous tumor as possible—often involving the removal of both ovaries, the uterus, and the fallopian tubes.
  • Chemotherapy: Usually used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells, but it is sometimes used before surgery to shrink the tumor.
  • ​Radiation Therapy: Uses carefully targeted beams of radiation to kill remaining cancer cells after surgery or to shrink tumors and reduce symptoms when the cancer has spread and a cure is not possible.
  • Targeted Therapies: Drugs that change the way cells work to help stop the cancer from growing and spreading. These are given for specific types of ovarian cancer or if the cancer returns after a course of chemotherapy.
Note: The main goal of treatment is to eliminate the cancer cells. However, when it has spread throughout the body, the goal shifts to relieving and controlling symptoms for as long as possible to maintain quality of life.
How prevalent is it? (Based on 2020 global statistics)
  • It is the 7th most common cancer among women.
  • It is the 8th leading cause of cancer death in women.
  • Approximately 314,000 cases are diagnosed annually.
  • It causes 207,000 deaths each year.
  • By 2040, the number of cases is expected to increase by 42%, reaching 445,721 cases per year.
What are the prevention methods?
  1. Hysterectomy and/or Tubal Ligation: Removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes significantly reduces the chances of developing the disease. However, a rarer form of the disease can still develop in the lining of the peritoneal cavity, so it does not eliminate the risk entirely.
  2. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: An increased number of ovulation cycles raises the risk, while periods where ovulation stops (such as during pregnancy and breastfeeding) lower the risk.
  3. Contraceptive Pills: Combined oral contraceptive pills reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by almost half if taken for five years or more.
  4. Continuous Follow-up: Especially for those with a family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer, or those with endometriosis.

4 Key Facts About Ovarian Cancer:
  • A cervical smear test (Pap smear) does not detect ovarian cancer.
  • Ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage due to vague symptoms.
  • Early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of a successful response to treatment.
  • Being aware of the symptoms leads to a faster diagnosis and can save lives.


​