Ovarian cancer is a disease that develops in a womans ovary. The cancer can either begin in the ovary or cancerous cells can be spread from other parts of the body. Ovaries are inside the womans pelvic area. From the beginning of puberty all the way until menopause, the ovaries produce female hormones. The job of these hormones is to regulate the menstrual cycle/menstruation. Ovaries also include eggs which are regulated by the hormones during the cycle. Once an ovarian cell becomes cancerous, it will begin to multiply itself and spread quite rapidly. A tumor on the ovary is created when the cells multiply. It is possible for the tumor to interfere with the functions of the ovary. It can also spread to other areas inside the pelvis by breaking itself off and infecting that area. The cancer cells themselves can also spread by traveling through the bloodstream and therefore infecting several other body parts. There are several different types of tumors: Epithelial Tumors, which are estimated to be responsible for almost 90% of all ovarian cancers. These tumors grow in a layer of cube-shaped cells known as the germinal epithelium, which surround the outside of the ovaries. The second type of tumors that can develop are called Germ Cell Tumors. The account for 3% of ovarian cancer cases and are found in the egg making cells of the ovary. They are found mostly in teenagers and young women. They spread rapidly as well, but are quite weak and are treatments are usually very successful. Another form are referred to as Stromal Tumors which are found in 6% of all ovarian cancer cases. The form from connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together and those that produce female hormones, estrogen, and progesterone. Stromal tumors dont normally spread which is very good news for the patient, however, this type of tumor is somewhat difficult to treat. Chemotherapy can be used to try and kill or control the cancer. Medicine...
