Types of Ovarian Cancer (Cont.)

 
Malignant Tumors
Malignant tumors are cancer. Cells in these tumors are abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also spread (metastasize) from their original site to other parts of the body. A malignant tumor that begins in the ovaries is called ovarian cancer.
 

Types of Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian Epithelial Cancer

Ovarian epithelial cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissue covering the ovary. Ovarian epithelial cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects the ovary.
 

Types of Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian Germ Cell Cancer

Ovarian germ cell cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the germ (egg) cells of the ovary. Germ cell cancer begins in the reproductive cells (egg or sperm) of the body. Ovarian germ cell cancer usually occurs in teenage girls or young women, and most often affects just one ovary.
 
Ovarian germ cell cancer is a general name that is used to describe several different types of cancer. The most common ovarian germ cell cancer is called dysgerminoma.
 

Types of Ovarian Cancer: Low Malignant Potential Ovarian Cancer

Low malignant potential ovarian cancer is a disease in which precancerous cells (cells that may, or are likely to, become cancer) form in the tissue covering the ovary.
 
Low malignant potential ovarian cancer seldom spreads beyond the ovary. When the disease is found in one ovary, the other one also should be checked carefully for signs of disease.
 

Types of Ovarian Cancer: Metastatic

Ovarian cancer cells can break away from the ovary and spread to other tissues and organs in a process called shedding. When ovarian cancer sheds, it tends to seed (form new tumors) on the peritoneum (the large membrane that lines the abdomen) and on the diaphragm (the thin muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen). Fluid may collect in the abdomen. This condition is known as ascites. It may make a woman feel bloated, or her abdomen may look swollen.
 
Ovarian cancer cells can also enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system (the tissues and organs that produce and store cells that fight infection and disease). Once in the bloodstream or lymphatic system, the cancer cells can travel and form new tumors in other parts of the body.
 

Pages:

Previous 1 2

Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD