Ovarian Cancer
Cancer of the ovary is a disease in which some of the cells of the ovary undergo changes and develop into cancer. There are four different types of ovarian cancer, named after the part of the ovary that is affected. Ovarian Cancer may be shortened and referred to as "OvCa"(pronounced 'of-car').
The different types of ovarian cancer are;
Epithelial ovarian cancer. Is a cancer that arises in the epithelium: the outer cells covering the ovary. Nine out of ten ovarian cancers are epithelial.
Germ cells and sex-cord stromal cell ovarian cancer. These two types of ovarian cancer are very uncommon. The germ cell cancers arise in the cells that mature into eggs and usually only affect women under 30 years of age.
Sex cord stromal cell cancers arise in the cells, which release the female hormones. These cancers can occur at any age.
Germ cell and sex-cord stromal cell ovarian cancers usually respond very well to treatment and are often curable. If these cancers only affect one ovary, it may still be possible for women to have children after treatment.
Borderline tumours. Borderline tumours are a group of epithelial tumours, which are not as aggressive as other forms of ovarian cancer. Sometimes the words 'low malignant potential' are used to describe borderline tumours. The outlook for women with borderline tumours is generally good regardless of whether the disease is diagnosed early or late.