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General Information About Ovarian Cancer
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Ovarian cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells
form in the ovaries.
The ovaries are a pair
of organs in the female reproductive
system. They are in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped
organ where a fetus grows). Each
ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries make eggs and
female hormones (chemicals that
control the way certain cells or
organs work in the body). | Enlarge | | | | Anatomy of the female reproductive system. The organs in the female reproductive system include the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and vagina. The uterus has a muscular outer layer called the myometrium and an inner lining called the endometrium. |
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer of the
female reproductive system.
Since 1987, the number of new cases of ovarian cancer has gone down slightly, but the chance of dying from ovarian cancer has stayed the same.
It is hard to find ovarian cancer early. Early ovarian cancer may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms do appear, ovarian cancer is often advanced.
See the following PDQ summaries for more information about ovarian cancer:
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