Ovarian Cancer - Introduction

Introduction

The ovaries are two small, almond-shaped organs located on either side of the uterus. They are key components of a woman's reproductive system:

• Ovaries store 200,000 - 400,000 follicles, tiny sacs that are present from birth that nurture immature eggs (ova).
• During each normal (usually monthly) reproductive cycle, a follicle in one ovary bursts and releases a mature or "ripened" egg. The egg travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus, where it either is fertilized by a man's sperm or, if unfertilized, breaks down and is excreted as part of the menstrual cycle.
• Ovaries also produce the important reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone.

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Ovarian Cancers

Ovarian cancers are potentially life-threatening malignancies that develop in one or both ovaries. Malignant ovarian tumors generally fall into three primary classes:

• Epithelial tumors
• Germ cell tumors
• Stromal tumors

Epithelial Tumors. Epithelial tumors account for up to 90% of all ovarian cancers and are the primary focus of this report. These cancers develop in a layer of cube-shaped cells known as the germinal epithelium, which surrounds the outside of the ovaries.

Germ Cell Tumors. Germ cell tumors, which account for about 3% of all ovarian cancers, are found in the egg-maturation cells of the ovary. They occur most often in teenagers and young women. Although they progress rapidly, they are very sensitive to treatments. About 90% of patients with germ cell malignancies can be cured, often preserving fertility.

Stromal Tumors. Stromal tumors, which account for about 6% of all ovarian cancers, develop from connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together and that produce the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Stromal tumors do not usually spread, in which case the prognosis is good. If they spread, however, they can be more difficult to treat than the other types of ovarian tumors.