Cancer of the ovary

Cancer of the ovary is the fifth most common type of cancer in women and causes about 4,300 deaths each year in the UK, more than any other cancer of the reproductive tract. This high death rate is usually explained by the fact that symptoms do not develop until late in the progress of the disease, which delays the diagnosis and treatment.

The cause of cancer of the ovary is not known, but the tumour sometimes develops from an ovarian cyst. There seem to be hormonal and genetic risk factors for developing the disease. Women who have never had children or have had a late menopause are more likely to develop cancer of the ovary. Women with a close relative who developed ovarian cancer before the age of 50 are also at greater risk.

What are the symptoms?

Ovarian cancer rarely produces symptoms in the early stages, although there may be symptoms similar to those of an ovarian cyst, such as irregular periods. In most cases, symptoms occur only if the cancer has spread to other organs and may include:


- Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Swelling in the abdomen caused by excess fluid.
- Frequent need to pass urine.
- Rarely, abnormal vaginal bleeding.

There may also be general symptoms of cancer, such as loss of weight, nausea, and vomiting. Left untreated, the cancer may spread to other organs in the body, such as the liver or lungs.

How is it diagnosed?

If a close relative has had cancer of the ovary, you should consult your about screening for this type of cancer. Screening may detect cancerous changes before symptoms develop and allows treatment to be given in the early stages of the disease. You may be offered ultrasound scanning (through the vagina to look for a tumour or blood tests to look for a specific protein that is produced by this cancer. Otherwise, if your doctor suspects cancer of the ovary, he or she will examine your abdomen for the presence of swellings or lumps. You may have an ultrasound scan of your ovaries and a laparoscopy. Other tests that may be carried out include a chest X-ray and CT scanning of the lungs or liver to see if the disease has spread.

What is the treatment?


If cancer of the ovary is diagnosed in a woman who wishes to have children, usually only the affected ovary and fallopian tube are removed. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the reproductive tract or the woman does not wish to have children, a total hysterectomy may be performed, in which the uterus and both the fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed. Surgery is followed by chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. If the caner has spread to other organs in the body, radiotherapy may also be given. After treatment, blood tests and physical examinations are carried out regularly to check for recurrence.

What is the prognosis?

A complete recovery from cancer of the ovary is possible only if the condition is diagnosed and treated while in the early stages. However, the disease has spread in up to 3 in 4 women by the time of diagnosis. In these women, chemotherapy can prevent further spread of the cancer, sometimes for years, but it can rarely eliminate the cancer completely.