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What is Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is cancer that begins in the ovaries, part of a woman’s reproductive system. The two ovaries produce eggs (ova) and hormones women need for health.
Early-stage ovarian cancer often shows no symptoms. Later stages of ovarian cancer may have symptoms like weight loss, constipation, pain in your pelvic area, or bloating in your abdomen.
Learn about ovarian cancer.
Early-stage ovarian cancer often shows no symptoms. Later stages of ovarian cancer may have symptoms like weight loss, constipation, pain in your pelvic area, or bloating in your abdomen.
Learn about ovarian cancer.
Prevention & Screening
There’s no way to prevent ovarian cancer and currently no screenings for ovarian cancer. However, you can lower your risk by taking hormonal birth control.
If you have a family history of ovarian cancer, you may benefit from genetic screening. Genetic screening can look at your DNA to determine if you are at high risk for ovarian cancer. Women who are at high risk may decide to have their ovaries removed to prevent cancer.
Learn about ovarian cancer prevention & screening.
If you have a family history of ovarian cancer, you may benefit from genetic screening. Genetic screening can look at your DNA to determine if you are at high risk for ovarian cancer. Women who are at high risk may decide to have their ovaries removed to prevent cancer.
Learn about ovarian cancer prevention & screening.
Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
Your doctor can use different tests to diagnose ovarian cancer. For instance, an ultrasound of your ovaries can help your doctor determine their size, shape, and if they have any tumors. Blood tests can help your doctor check for proteins produced by cancer cells.
Other imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, can help your doctor learn if your cancer has spread. Your doctor will use these tests to recommend a treatment for you.
Learn about ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Other imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, can help your doctor learn if your cancer has spread. Your doctor will use these tests to recommend a treatment for you.
Learn about ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Ovarian Cancer Treatment
If your cancer is only in your ovaries or organs in your pelvis (such as your uterus), your doctor may remove these organs to get rid of all cancer. But if your cancer has spread further, you may need chemotherapy before surgery.
Chemotherapy uses particular medicines to kill cancer cells. It can help shrink cancer, making it easier to remove during surgery. Eighty percent of patients have all their cancer gone after chemotherapy and surgery. Still, immunotherapy, which uses your body’s immune system to fight cancer, may be able to help patients whose cancer doesn’t go away after chemotherapy.
Learn about ovarian cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy uses particular medicines to kill cancer cells. It can help shrink cancer, making it easier to remove during surgery. Eighty percent of patients have all their cancer gone after chemotherapy and surgery. Still, immunotherapy, which uses your body’s immune system to fight cancer, may be able to help patients whose cancer doesn’t go away after chemotherapy.
Learn about ovarian cancer treatment.