Ovarian cancer is the second most common reproductive cancer in women after endometrial cancer. Cancer occurs when cells undergo a transformation and begin to grow and multiply without normal controls. As the cells grow and multiply, they form masses called tumors. Ovarian cancer occurs when a tumor forms in one or both of a woman's ovaries.

Ovarian tumors are classified on the basis of the type of cell from which the abnormal growth originated.

• Epithelial tumors: These tumors arise from a layer of cells that surrounds the outside of the ovary called the germinal epithelium. About 70-80% of all ovarian cancers are epithelial. These are usually found in women who have been through menopause (aged 45-70 years).

• Stromal tumors: Stromal tumors develop from connective tissue cells that help form the structure of the ovary and produce hormones. Usually, only one ovary is involved. These account for 5-10% of ovarian cancers. These tumors typically occur in women aged 40-60 years. Often, surgical removal of the tumor is the only treatment needed. If the tumor has spread, though, chemotherapy is needed.

• Germ cell tumors: Tumors that arise from germ cells (cells that produce the egg) account for about 15% of all ovarian cancers. These tumors develop most often in young women (including teenaged girls). Although 90% of women with this type of cancer are successfully treated, many become permanently infertile.

• Metastatic tumors: Only 5% of ovarian cancers have spread from other sites. The most common sites from which they spread are the colon (52%), breast (17%), stomach (10%), and pancreas (5%).

• Within these main classes are many different subtypes of tumors.
   

Ovarian Cancer is much more likely to be fatal than cancer of the cervix or endometrium because it is more difficult to detect at an early stage.  

Ovarian Cancer is also identified by a series of stages. The stage describes the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis, including tumor size and whether the cancer has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body. The stages are commonly described as follows:

Stage I - Growth of tumor limited to the ovaries

Stage II - Growth of tumor in one or both ovaries

Stage III - Tumor involving one or both ovaries with peritoneal implants outside the pelvis and/or positive retroperitoneal or inguinal lymph nodes. Superficial liver metastasis equals stage III.

Stage IV - Growth involving one or both ovaries with distant metastases. If pleural effusion is present there must be positive cytology to allot a case to stage IV. Tumor spread inside the liver, equals stage IV.

Recurrent/Refractory - Recurrence means that the tumor has returned after initial therapy. Refractory means that the tumor fails to respond to initial treatment.

.

.

.

.

.

.