Ovarian cancer

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries, which are part of the female reproductive system¹
The ovaries are made up of 3 different kinds of cells, and each type of cell can develop into a different kind of tumour¹

Types of ovarian cancer

The main types of ovarian cancer are:²
- Epithelial ovarian cancer
- Germ cell cancer
- Other rare ovarian tumours, e.g. stromal tumours and sarcomas
The most common type is epithelial ovarian cancer, which affects the surface layers of the ovary²

Who gets ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer only affects females¹
It can occur at any age, but is most common after the menopause³
It is the 7th most common cancer in females worldwide⁴
239,00 new cases were diagnosed worldwide in 2012⁴

Screening, detection, and diagnosis

The following tests may be performed to make a diagnosis:
- A blood test to measure the level of a protein called CA125, which is produced by some ovarian cancers⁵
- An abdominal or transvaginal ultrasound to look closely at the ovaries⁵
- A CT scan for a more detailed image of the ovaries and surrounding area⁵
Once ovarian cancer has been diagnosed, the following tests may be used to see how far it has spread: a chest X-ray and scans, laparoscopy to take a biopsy, abdominal fluid aspiration⁶

Patient guidelines

A patient guideline is a document containing information for patients and their families about their disease and the treatment options available to them

Click here to see the European patient guideline on your condition⁷