Ovarian and Fallopian Tube Cancer

Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries, the female reproductive glands that produce eggs. The majority of ovarian tumors are epithelial, which form in the cells covering the surface of the ovary. Other types include germ cell tumors, which originate in the cells that manufacture eggs; and stromal tumors, which form in the tissues that produce female hormones. Around 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. Survival rates vary depending on the stage at which the cancer is caught. Ovarian cancer usually occurs in women over age 50. Risk factors include: early menopause, women who have not been pregnant, do not take birth control pills, or have a family history. Early stages have few symptoms; later-stage symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen, bloating, vaginal bleeding, abnormal periods, nausea, and sudden changes in weight. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.