Learn About Ovarian Cancer

What is the definition of Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries. The ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs.

What are the alternative names for Ovarian Cancer?

Cancer - ovaries

What are the causes of Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women. It causes more deaths than any other type of female reproductive organ cancer.

The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown.

Risks of developing ovarian cancer include any of the following:

  • The fewer children a woman has and the later in life she gives birth, the higher her risk for ovarian cancer.
  • Women who have had breast cancer or have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer have an increased risk for ovarian cancer (due to defects in genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2).
  • Women who take estrogen replacement only (not with progesterone) for 5 years or more may have a higher risk for ovarian cancer. Birth control pills, though, decrease the risk for ovarian cancer.
  • Fertility medicine probably does not increase the risk for ovarian cancer.
  • Older women are at highest risk of developing ovarian cancer. Most deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women age 55 and older.
What are the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer symptoms are often vague. Women and their doctors often blame the symptoms on other, more common conditions. By the time the cancer is diagnosed, the tumor has often spread beyond the ovaries.

See your doctor if you have the following symptoms on a daily basis for more than a few weeks:

  • Bloating or swelling in the belly area
  • Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly (early satiety)
  • Pelvic or lower abdominal pain (area may feel "heavy")
  • Back pain
  • Swollen lymph nodes in groin

Other symptoms that can occur:

  • Excessive hair growth that is coarse and dark
  • Sudden urge to urinate
  • Needing to urinate more often than usual (increased urinary frequency or urgency)
  • Constipation
Not sure about your diagnosis?
Check Your Symptoms
What are the current treatments for Ovarian Cancer?

Surgery is used to treat all stages of ovarian cancer. For early stages, surgery may be the only treatment needed. Surgery may involve removing both ovaries and fallopian tubes, the uterus, or other structures in the belly or pelvis.The goals of surgery for ovarian cancer are:

  • Sample normal appearing areas to see if the cancer has spread (staging)
  • Remove any areas of tumor spread (debulking)

Chemotherapy is used after surgery to treat any cancer that remains. Chemotherapy can also be used if the cancer comes back (relapses). Chemotherapy is typically given intravenously (through an IV). It can also be injected directly into the abdominal cavity (intraperitoneal, or IP).

Radiation therapy is rarely used to treat ovarian cancer.

After surgery and chemotherapy, follow instructions about how often you should see your doctor and the tests you should have.

Who are the top Ovarian Cancer Local Doctors?
Gynecologic Oncology | Oncology
Gynecologic Oncology | Oncology

Bon Secours-Richmond Community Hospital LLC

5875 Bremo Rd, 
Richmond, VA 
 9.2 mi
Accepting New Patients

Johnny Hyde is a Gynecologic Oncologist and an Oncologist in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Hyde and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ovarian Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Endometrial Cancer, Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor, Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma, Hernia Surgery, and Oophorectomy. Dr. Hyde is currently accepting new patients.

Gynecologic Oncology | Palliative Medicine | Obstetrics and Gynecology
Gynecologic Oncology | Palliative Medicine | Obstetrics and Gynecology

Virginia Gynecologic Oncology LLC

1602 Skipwith Rd, 
Richmond, VA 
 9.1 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Cecelia Boardman is a Gynecologic Oncologist and a Palliative Medicine provider in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Boardman and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Endometrial Cancer, Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor, Ovarian Cancer, Oophorectomy, and Salpingo-Oophorectomy. Dr. Boardman is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
Learn about our expert tiers
Learn More
Gynecologic Oncology | Oncology | Obstetrics and Gynecology
Gynecologic Oncology | Oncology | Obstetrics and Gynecology

Virginia Gynecologic Oncology LLC

7607 Forest Ave, 
Richmond, VA 
 8.9 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Jori Carter is a Gynecologic Oncologist and an Oncologist in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Carter and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor, Oophorectomy, and Salpingo-Oophorectomy. Dr. Carter is currently accepting new patients.

What are the support groups for Ovarian Cancer?

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is rarely diagnosed in its early stages. It is usually quite advanced by the time diagnosis is made:

  • Nearly one half of women live longer than 5 years after diagnosis
  • If diagnosis is made early in the disease and treatment is received before the cancer spreads outside the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is high
When should I contact a medical professional for Ovarian Cancer?

Contact your health care provider if you are a woman 40 years or older who has not recently had a pelvic exam. Routine pelvic exams are recommended for all women 20 years or older.

Request an appointment with your provider if you have symptoms of ovarian cancer.

How do I prevent Ovarian Cancer?

There are no standard recommendations for screening women without symptoms (asymptomatic) for ovarian cancer. Pelvic ultrasound or a blood test, such as CA-125, have not been found to be effective and are not recommended.

Genetic testing for the BRCA1 or BRCA2, or other cancer-related genes, may be recommended for women at high risk for ovarian cancer. These are women who have a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

Removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes and possibly the uterus in women who have a proven mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene may reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer. But, ovarian cancer may still develop in other areas of the pelvis.

What are the latest Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials?
Phase 2 Trial of the Combination of the BET Inhibitor, ZEN003694 (ZEN-3694), and the PARP Inhibitor Talazoparib, in Patients With Molecularly-Selected Solid Tumors (ComBET)

Summary: This phase II trial tests whether ZEN003694 (ZEN-3694) in combination with talazoparib works to shrink tumors in patients with solid tumors that are unlikely to be cured or controlled with treatment and that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). Another aim of this study is to find out if, and how, patients' genes influe...

Match to trials
Find the right clinical trials for you in under a minute
Get started
A Phase 1, First in Human Study of CTIM-76, a Claudin-6 (CLDN6)-Directed Bispecific Antibody, in Patients With Recurring Ovarian Cancer and Other Advanced Solid Tumors

Summary: This is a Phase 1a/1b, open-label, dose escalation and expansion study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CTIM-76 (study drug), a humanized T cell engaging bispecific antibody targeting CLDN6, in subjects with platinum-refractory/resistant ovarian cancer (PRROC) and other advanced CLDN6-positive solid tumors (i.e., testicular and endometrial).

What are the Latest Advances for Ovarian Cancer?
Tired of the same old research?
Check Latest Advances
The present status of metformin in fertility-preserving treatment in atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrioid endometrial cancer.
Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: October 10, 2022
Published By: Howard Goodman, MD, Gynecologic Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Coleman RL, Liu J, Matsuo K, Thaker PH, Westin SN, Sood AK. Carcinoma of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 86.

Coleman RL, Westin SN, Ramirez PT, Salvo G, Gershenson DM. Malignant diseases of the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum. In: Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 33.

National Cancer Institute website. BRCA gene mutations: cancer risk and genetic testing. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet. Updated November 19, 2020. Accessed December 15, 2022.