About Cancer
Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary, fallopian tube or peritoneum begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. They eventually form a growth (tumour). If not caught early, cancer cells gradually grow into the surrounding tissues. And may spread to other areas of the body.
Ovarian cancer can affect women, some transgender men and non-binary people assigned female at birth.
Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary grow and divide in an uncontrolled way.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer can include a swollen or painful tummy, loss of appetite or urinary changes.
You usually start by seeing your GP. They might refer you to a specialist and organise tests.
Ovarian cancer survival depends on many factors including the stage and type of your cancer.
The main treatments for ovarian cancer are surgery and chemotherapy. Your treatment depends on several factors including your cancer stage and grade.
Most ovarian cancers start in the cells covering the ovaries and are called epithelial ovarian cancers. Other rare types include germ cell tumours, stromal tumours and sarcomas.
The stage tells you how big your cancer is and whether it has spread. The grade means how abnormal the cells look under the microscope.
Research trials aim to find out if new treatments are safe and better than those currently available for ovarian cancer.
There is support available to help you cope with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, life during treatment and life after cancer.
Factors that increase the risk of ovarian cancer include getting older and inherited faulty genes.
Last reviewed: 05 Dec 2024
Next review due: 06 Dec 2027
This section has been written, reviewed and updated by Cancer Research UK’s Patient Information Web Team. Thanks to the expert medical professionals and people affected by cancer who have helped to review this information.
Mr Filipe Correia Martins (Consultant Surgeon and Clinical Associate Professor)
Dr Rowan Miller (Consultant Medical Oncologist)
Lisa Nicholson (Clinical Nurse Specialist)
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
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