Types of Ovarian Cancer

Types list:

The list of types of Ovarian Cancer mentioned in various sources includes:

• Epithelial ovarian cancers - about 85-90% of cases
  • Serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer
  • Mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer
  • Endometrioid epithelial ovarian cancer
  • Clear cell epithelial ovarian cancer
  • Undifferentiated epithelial ovarian tumors.
• Ovarian germ cell tumors - about 10-15% of cases
• Ovarian stromal tumors
• Familial ovarian cancer - about 5-10% of cases; partially caused by genetic inherited risk.
  • Hereditary ovarian cancer syndrome
  • Hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome - combined genetic risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
  • Lynch II syndrome - family history of breast, ovarian, colon, endometrial and other cancers.

Curable subtypes of Ovarian Cancer:

• Serous cystadenoma
• Mucinous cystadenoma
• Granulosa cell tumour

Rare subtypes of Ovarian Cancer:

• Lynch II syndrome
• Arrhenoblastoma
• Sertoli Leydig cell tumour
• Mixed tumours
• Krukenberg tumours
• Sex cord stromal tumour

Types discussion:

Ovarian Cancer: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Most ovarian cancers (eighty-five to ninety percent) develop from the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary, called the epithelial cells. The cells that make up epithelial ovarian cancers have several histologic patterns, which are recognized under the microscope. They are referred to as serous, mucinous, endometrioid or clear cell types. Some lack distinctive features and may be considered "undifferentiated" epithelial tumors.

Ten to fifteen percent of ovarian cancers develop in the germ cells or sex cord stromal cells of the ovary. Ovarian germ cell tumors developed from the cells that produce the ova or eggs. Germ cell tumors may occur in teenagers and in women in their twenties. However, overall, these are rare tumors and have a good prognosis.

Ovarian stromal tumors develop from connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together and produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These tumors are generally much less aggressive than the other tumors. These are also rare tumors. (Source: excerpt from Ovarian Cancer: NWHIC)

Ovarian Cancer: NWHIC (Excerpt)

There are three different syndromes that fall under the heading of familial ovarian cancer. The first, is a site-specific, hereditary ovarian cancer syndrome in which only ovarian cancer is manifested. More commonly, however, there is the hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome in which both ovarian cancer and breast cancer may occur in the same family. And finally, there is the Lynch II syndrome in which breast, ovarian, colon, endometrial and other cancers occur throughout the family. The cases of familial ovarian cancer, however, account again for only five to ten percent of ovarian cancers. (Source: excerpt from Ovarian Cancer: NWHIC)

What You Need To Know About Ovarian Cancer: NCI (Excerpt)

Ovarian cysts are a different type of growth. They are fluid-filled sacs that form on the surface of an ovary. They are not cancer. Cysts often go away without treatment. If a cyst does not go away, the doctor may suggest removing it, especially if it seems to be growing. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Ovarian Cancer: NCI)

What You Need To Know About Ovarian Cancer: NCI (Excerpt)

A malignant tumor that begins in the ovaries is called ovarian cancer. There are several types of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer that begins on the surface of the ovary (epithelial carcinoma ) is the most common type. This is the type of cancer discussed in this booklet. Ovarian cancer that begins in the egg-producing cells (germ cell tumors ) and cancer that begins in the supportive tissue surrounding the ovaries (stromal tumors ) are rare and are not discussed in this booklet. The Cancer Information Service and the other NCI sources listed under "National Cancer Institute Information Resources " can provide information or suggest resources that deal with these types of ovarian cancer.

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. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Ovarian Cancer: NCI)

What You Need To Know About Stomach Cancer: NCI (Excerpt)

However, when stomach cancer spreads to an ovary, the tumor in the ovary is called a Krukenberg tumor . (This tumor, named for a doctor, is not a different disease; it is metastatic stomach cancer. The cancer cells in a Krukenberg tumor are stomach cancer cells, the same as the cancer cells in the primary tumor.) (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Stomach Cancer: NCI)

Research More About Ovarian Cancer

• Introduction: Ovarian Cancer
• Symptoms: Ovarian Cancer
• Causes: Ovarian Cancer
• Treatments: Ovarian Cancer
• Deaths: Ovarian Cancer