Normal working cells will replicate themselves in a methodical fashion. However, cancer cells divide themselves wildly. These cells will produce more cancer cells instead of die off like a normal cell does. As it creates more cells, a tumor or mass will show up. The surrounding tissue is then susceptible from invasion of the tumor. The tumor will not allow healthy tissue to do the job it is supposed to do. When a tumor appears, doctors will look do a biopsy to determine if it is one of two types of tumors.

The first type most people hope for are benign tumors. This type is not considered deadly nor does it intrude on healthy tissue. Once surgically removed, benign tumors rarely rear their heads again.

The second type of tumor is dangerous. These are malignant tumors. Malignant tumors have cells that grow wildly and out of control. These cancer cells will begin to invade tissues. It will, then, outreach to body organs by getting into the bloodstream.

Ovarian cancer is a type of life-threatening cancer that begins in either one or both of a woman’s ovaries. When ovarian cancers begin to grow, they develop outward with a shape that looks like a cauliflower.

What are ovaries? Ovaries are two tiny structures that are sitting on each side of the uterus. Certain cells found in ovaries produce eggs that get released each month. These eggs will travel down the fallopian tubes to settle in the uterus. Other ovary cells will create estrogen and progesterone hormones.

Ovarian Cancer Survival

Skin cancer and ovarian cancer are ranked seventh for the most common cancer. Yet, ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of death among women. Even though there have been advancements made in the management of ovarian cancer, it’s still the principal cause to women dying from gynecologic cancers. 2007 ACS Cancer Facts and Figures).

There is some good news regarding ovarian cancer. Its rate has been going downhill since 1991. The threat of being diagnosed with this cancer is actually 1 in 58 and dying from the disease is nearly 1 in 100. Over 50 percent of ovarian cancer diagnosis takes place in women ages 65 or older. This is not to say this is an elderly disease. Younger women can get afflicted with ovarian cancer too. By the time a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the disease is already in its advanced stages.

Ovarian cancer survival will depend on the woman’s age. Those women diagnosed with cancer and are 65 years old or less are two times (56 percent) likely to survive up to five years. Women, ages 65 or older, have 28 percent likely chances to survive up to five years. 76 percent of newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients live at least a year after being diagnosed. If the cancer has not spread, the five year survival rate is around 93 percent. The downside, however, is that only 19 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in its early stages.

Kinds of Ovarian Cancer Tumors

Should a benign tumor grow on one or both ovaries, they won’t extend any further and are not life-threatening. However, this cannot be said for malignant tumors. If these tumors are found on the ovary, they will extend their reach beyond the initial starting point and considered very life threatening.

Any cell in the ovary can become a cancerous cell. There isn’t one kind of ovarian cancer. There are actually three types of ovarian cancer.

Epithelial – these are cells that will line the facade of the ovary. Epithelial cancers have sub-type identified as “borderline” ovarian tumors that can appear. However, these are not very frequent. Yet, like other tumors that become malignant, these can also go outward from the ovary and be life threatening.

Stromal – this is connective tissue

Germ Cell – these are cells that still make eggs

Epithelial Cancers

Epithelial Ovarian Carcinomas - EOC typically begins on the ovary’s surface and is a frequent ovarian cancer form. Nearly 90 percent of ovarian cancers diagnosed are EOC. The most common age for women to develop this form of cancer is 60, those 20 to 90 years old still can be diagnosed with it. When looked at underneath a microscope, EOCs have five different types. They are:

Mucinous – a less encouraging kind

Serous – most common form of EOC

Clear cell – most worrisome to doctors due to its aggressiveness

Endometroid

Undifferentiated

Borderline Ovarian Tumors – Tumors found on the ovary’s surface are generally seen as borderline ovarian tumors. When a pathologist gets a closer look at these tumors, they notice that these cells are not cancerous. Borderline Ovarian Tumors have a low malignant potential meaning they aren’t aggressive, especially when discovered early on. They rarely spread to other body parts. Still, if a borderline ovarian tumor is found to have spread, approximately 90 percent of those women diagnosed will survive the threat. These tumors usually strike women 40 years of age or younger.

Stromal Tumors – These tumors will show up and start to grow in two different way. They may show up in cells that produce progesterone and estrogen or in the connective tissue. This kind of ovarian cancer is usually found in older women ages 50 and over. Yet, they can show up in women younger than 50. These kinds of tumors generally won’t spread to other body parts and the long term prognosis for women diagnosed with it is good. Yet, should a tumor start to spread, it may be tricky for doctors to treat. Only six to ten percent of ovarian cancer is the stromal tumor type. Stromal Tumors have three different kinds. They include:

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors

Granulosa cell tumors

Granulosa-theca tumors

Germ Cell Tumors – These tumors usually begin in cells that generate eggs. Found usually in younger women and teenagers, they are susceptible to chemotherapy treatment. Of those women diagnosed with germ cell tumors, around 90 percent will survive. These ovarian tumor type accounts for only three percent of all diagnosis. Germ cell tumors have four kinds. They are:

Endodermal Sinus Tumors

Immature teratomas

Dysgerminomas

Choriocarcinomas

Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors

It’s not known why some women have a higher chance to getting ovarian cancer but the threat to the populace is one in 70. Germ cell and stromal tumor factors are still not known. Yet, some of the risks behind the epithelial ovarian cancer have been discovered.

Age – When menopause strikes women, the chance of getting ovarian cancer increases. As women get older, they have a higher chance of developing some form of ovarian cancer. While it’s true younger women can develop the disease, most diagnosis are found in women aged 65 and older. A big percentage of the cases are in the 50 to 75 year age range.

Reproduction History – Studies have shown that the more a women ovulates, the greater her chance of getting the disease. Women who ovulate continuously have an increase chance of getting the malignant form of ovarian cancer. In fact, women who decide never to have children or decide to get pregnancy for the first time after 35 years old have a greater chance of getting ovarian cancer.

Using fertility drugs, in some studies, has shown that the increase stimulation of ovulation can increase a woman’s chance of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Such drugs include:

Pergonal

Repronal

Metrodin

Clomid

If the drugs are taken for an extended period of time, they can increase her risk as well.

On the other hand, pregnancy, birth control pills and breastfeeding tend to lessen the ovarian cancer risk. If a woman stops taking birth control pills, the effects of the pills continue for years.

Environment - Studies have not positively confirmed the effect of talc exposure to increased ovarian cancer risk. Information on the ovarian cancer threat and x-rays are also confusing.

Diet – A high saturated fat diet can raise a woman’s chance of developing ovarian cancer. Other diet factors that increase ovarian cancer chances are large doses of lactose and coffee consumptions. Yet, this is not conclusive. American Cancer Society officials recommend a diet that is saturated fat limited but high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

Obesity – Women who are considered obese have a 50 percent elevated risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to a study completed by the American Cancer Society.

History in Family – A woman can have an increase risk of getting ovarian and breast cancers if they inherit the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutant gene from one of her parents. When women have a close relative such as mothers, sisters and daughters that have breast or ovarian cancer, their chances of getting this cancer also raises. Studies show that women whose family consists of two or more close family members with ovarian cancer have a greater risk of getting the disease. Yet, the risk is not as great when a grandmother or aunt has the disease.

While inherited types of ovarian cancer are rare, there are such cases. These cases typically show up in young women. This threat factor is called Lynch II syndrome. It allows for a predilection to not only ovarian cancer but also colon and endometrial cancer signs and symptoms.

Breast Cancer – When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and/or has a record of breast cancer in their family, their ovarian cancer risks increase.

Race – Ovarian cancer can strike any woman of any race. For Caucasian women, there are 14.2 cases per 100,000. However, it’s higher for African American women: 9.3 cases per 100,000.

Geography – It seems that high rates of ovarian cancer appear in developed countries such as the United States. However, Japan does not follow suit with these statistics…only 3 cases in 100,000 . It seems the highest risk is found in Jewish born European women at a rate of 17.2 per 100,000.

Ovarian Cancer Prevention

There are ways to prevent the chances of developing ovarian cancer. For instance, using birth control pills can reduce how many times a woman will ovulate. If a woman chooses to get pregnant repeatedly, she also lowers her risk. Breastfeeding can reduce ovarian cancer rates by about 40 percent. Keep away from talc and keep a low fat diet.

However, if a woman comes from a family with a long historic line of ovarian cancer, surgically removing her ovaries can drastically reduce her chances but it is still possible to get the disease. Women should make sure that they are being seen by a doctor once a year for pelvic exam. Studies are being done to discover ways to find ovarian cancer when it’s in its infantile stage.