Ovarian Cancer Summary The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. They produce a woman’s eggs and female hormones. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. Cancer of the ovary is not common, but it causes more deaths than other female reproductive cancers. The sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better your chance for recovery. But ovarian cancer is hard to detect early. Women with ovarian cancer may have no symptoms or just mild symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage. Then it is hard to treat. Symptoms may include A heavy feeling in the pelvis Pain in the lower abdomen Bleeding from the vagina Weight gain or loss Abnormal periods Unexplained back pain that gets worse Gas, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite To diagnose ovarian cancer, doctors do one or more tests. They include a physical exam, a pelvic exam, lab tests, ultrasound, or a biopsy. Treatment is usually surgery followed by chemotherapy. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute NIH MedlinePlus Magazine 6 Common Cancers- Gynecologic Cancers – Cervical, Endometrial, and Ovarian Encyclopedia Abdominal exploration Abdominal radiation – discharge Abdominal tap After chemotherapy – discharge Alpha fetoprotein Arrhenoblastoma of ovary Diagnostic laparoscopy Estradiol blood test Pelvic (between the hips) radiation – discharge Pelvis MRI scan Radiation enteritis Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor Transvaginal ultrasound Array Abdominal exploration – slideshow BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene testing CA-125 blood test Ovarian cancer Find an Expert American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology Find a Gynecologic Oncologist Foundation for Women’s Cancer National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute NCI Designated Cancer Centers National Cancer Institute Organizations That Offer Support Services National Cancer Institute Genetics BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing National Cancer Institute Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Family History Risk Categories Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Do We Know What Causes Ovarian Cancer? 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American Cancer Society Statistics and Research Cancer of the Ovary National Cancer Institute NIH Study Finds Regular Aspirin Use May Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk National Cancer Institute Ovarian Cancer Rates by Race and Ethnicity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ovarian Cancer Rates by State Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ovarian Cancer Trends Centers for Disease Control and Prevention What Are the Key Statistics about Ovarian Cancer? American Cancer Society What’s New in Ovarian Cancer Research and Treatment? American Cancer Society Related Issues Cancer Treatment for Women: Possible Sexual Side Effects Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk National Cancer Institute Ovarian Cancer: Still Possible After Hysterectomy? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Risks of Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute Talcum Powder and Cancer American Cancer Society What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Ovarian Cancer? American Cancer Society Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Ovarian Neoplasms National Institutes of Health Reference Desk Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute Normal Female Reproductive Anatomy National Cancer Institute Prevention and Risk Factors Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) American Society of Clinical Oncology Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer Prevention National Cancer Institute Prophylactic Oophorectomy: Preventing Cancer by Surgically Removing Your Ovaries Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Are the Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer? American Cancer Society Treatments and Therapies Drugs Approved for Ovarian Cancer National Cancer Institute Radiation Therapy for Gynecologic Cancers American Society for Radiation Oncology Treatment for Stromal Tumors of the Ovary American Cancer Society Treatment Option Overview (Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer) National Cancer Institute Treatment Option Overview (Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors) National Cancer Institute Treatment Option Overview (Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumors) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options by Stage (Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options By Stage (Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options for Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumors National Cancer Institute Treatment Side-Effects National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Specifics General Information about Ovarian Epithelial Cancer National Cancer Institute General Information about Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors National Cancer Institute General Information about Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumors National Cancer Institute Primary Peritoneal Cancer Foundation for Women’s Cancer Start Here General Information About Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer National Cancer Institute Ovarian Cancer Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Ovarian Cancer Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Ovarian Cancer American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists What Is Ovarian Cancer? 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