Ovarian Cancer

Ovaries

Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. They secrete female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, and contain egg cells which, when fertilized, can develop into a baby.

Incidence

The American Cancer Society estimates that 21,650 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in 2008. 

A woman whose mother, sister, or daughter has had ovarian cancer has a significantly higher-than-average risk of developing ovarian cancer. This familial effect was identified through research at Roswell Park through the Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Registry. Women who have never been pregnant are more likely to develop ovarian cancer than are women who have had children.

Signs & Symptoms

Ovarian cancer was believed to be a silent killer because people thought that by the time a woman had symptoms, the disease had already spread throughout her abdomen and beyond. It is now known that the early stages (I and II) are not universally silent and have the same symptoms as advanced stages (III and IV).

Symptoms most often associated with ovarian cancer include: a feeling of being bloated; clothes that don't fit quite as easily as they once did; vague abdominal and pelvic discomfort; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, back pain and fatigue. Although many women have these symptoms, it they persist for several weeks they could be an early warning of ovarian cancer.

Screening & Diagnosis

There are no reliable screening tests available. Diagnostic tests include pelvic examination, ultrasound, and CT and MRI scans. Women with an high risk of ovarian cancer may be screened with ultrasound and with blood tests such as CA125. In some cases an exploratory surgical procedure called a laparoscopy is used to examine the ovaries and obtain tissue samples for biopsy.

Treatment

Surgery is the treatment of choice, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. RPCI has been the site of a number of study protocols on the management of ovarian cancer, and pioneered some of the chemotherapy agents and methods currently used. New research seeking a vaccine for ovarian cancer is ongoing now at the Institute. Women at high risk should have CA125 testing, pelvic ultrasound and pelvic physical exam.

Ovarian Cancer Tipsheet