Ovarian cancer usually happens in women over age 50, but it can also affect younger women. Ovarian cancer is hard to detect early. Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from an ovary. Ovarian cancer is thought to most commonly form in the outer lining of the ovary (resulting in epithelial ovarian cancer) and, less commonly, in the egg cells (resulting in a germ cell tumor). However, recent evidence points towards the Fallopian tube as precursor for ovarian cancers. Ovarian cancer is thought to most commonly form in the outer lining of the ovary (resulting in epithelial ovarian cancer) and, less commonly, in the egg cells (resulting in a germ cell tumor). However, recent evidence points towards the Fallopian tube as precursor for ovarian cancers. The sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better your chance for recovery. But ovarian cancer is hard to detect early.
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for 5%-13% of ovarian cancers and certain populations (e.g. Ashkenazi Jewish women) are at a higher risk of both breast cancer and ovarian cancer, often at an earlier age than the general population. Patients with a personal history of breast cancer or a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, especially if diagnosed at a young age, may have an elevated risk. A strong family history of uterine cancer, colon cancer, or other gastrointestinal cancers may indicate the presence of a syndrome known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC, also known as Lynch II syndrome), which confers a higher risk for developing ovarian cancer.
Pelvic examination may reveal an ovarian or abdominal mass. To definitively diagnose ovarian cancer, a surgical procedure to take a look into the abdomen is required. The type of surgery depends upon how widespread the cancer is when diagnosed (the cancer stage), as well as the presumed type and grade of cancer. Ovarian cancer usually has a poor prognosis. Ovarian cancers shed cells into the naturally occurring fluid within the abdominal cavity. The five-year survival rate for all stages of ovarian cancer is 45.5%.
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