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Ovarian Cancer
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Women

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a disease where abnormal cells form a tumor in the tissues of the ovary, often showing no early symptoms until the cancer is advanced.

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a cancerous tumor that forms in the tissues of an ovary, which are the glands that make eggs and female hormones.

What are the types of ovarian cancer?

The most common type is epithelial cancer, which begins in the cells covering the ovary. Two related types often considered alongside ovarian cancer include:

  • Fallopian tube cancer: Forms in the tissue lining a fallopian tube.
  • Primary peritoneal cancer: Forms in the tissue lining the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen).

Other rarer types include malignant germ cell tumors and stromal tumors.

What causes ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is caused by mutations in genetic material (DNA). While many changes occur during a lifetime, some are inherited. Inherited changes in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, as well as conditions like Lynch syndrome, can increase your risk.

Who is more likely to develop ovarian cancer?

Risk factors include:

  • Family history of ovarian cancer
  • Inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene changes
  • Lynch syndrome
  • Endometriosis
  • Use of hormone replacement therapy
  • Obesity or being overweight
  • Being tall
  • Older age (especially post-menopause)
  • Never having been pregnant

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer often does not cause early symptoms. When they do occur, they may include:

  • Pain, swelling, or pressure in the abdomen or pelvis
  • Sudden or frequent urge to urinate
  • Trouble eating or feeling full
  • A lump in the pelvic area
  • Gastrointestinal problems like gas, bloating, or constipation

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves a medical and family history review, a physical exam (including a pelvic exam), imaging tests, and blood tests such as the CA-125 blood test. A definitive diagnosis usually requires a biopsy performed during surgery to remove the tumor.

Treatment & Management

Treatments may include:

  • Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible
  • Chemotherapy
  • Targeted therapy

Genetic testing is often recommended to identify gene changes that may help guide your treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

BRCA1 mutation can raise lifetime ovarian cancer risk to 20‑40%, and BRCA2 to 10‑20%. Preventive strategies include risk‑reducing salpingo‑oophorectomy (usually between ages 35‑40 or after childbearing), oral contraceptive use (which lowers risk by ~50%), and enrollment in a high‑risk surveillance program.
Early‑stage (I‑II) disease is usually managed with surgical staging (total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo‑oophorectomy, omentectomy, and lymph node sampling) followed by platinum‑based chemotherapy (carboplatin + paclitaxel) for 3‑6 cycles. Some patients may qualify for clinical trials or fertility‑preserving surgery if they desire future childbearing and meet strict criteria.
Persistent abdominal bloating, early satiety, pelvic or lower‑back pain, frequent urination, or a feeling of pressure that doesn’t resolve after a month should be evaluated. Even mild changes can be the first sign of an ovarian mass, especially in high‑risk women.
Currently, there is no routine population‑wide screening test proven to reduce mortality. However, women with a strong family history (BRCA1/2 or Lynch syndrome) may be offered transvaginal ultrasound and serum CA‑125 testing every 6‑12 months, often combined with a risk‑reducing surgery discussion.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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