Ovarian Cancer (gynecologic Cancer) Posted: 05-30-05 00:50am
What is it?
Ovarian cancer is the uncontrolled growth
of abnormal cells in the ovaries, the
female reproductive organs that produce
eggs. Ovarian cancer cells come from one
of three areas in the ovary. Cancer
cells forming in the surface layer of the
ovary (epithelial carcinoma) are the most
common. Cancer cells forming from the
egg-producing cells (germ cell tumors) and
from within the supportive tissues around
the ovaries (stromal tumors) are less
common.
Symptoms
ovarian cancer usually doesn't cause
obvious symptoms until late in its
development, and, even then, the symptoms
can be mistaken as signs of a minor
disorder. Symptoms of ovarian cancer can
include:
abdominal discomfort and pain
bloating
nausea
diarrhea
frequent urination
sudden weight gain or loss
abnormal bleeding from the vagina
