Ovarian cancer usually happens in women over age 50, but it can also affect younger women. Its cause is unknown. Ovarian cancer is hard to detect early.
The sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better your chance for recovery. But ovarian cancer is hard to detect early. Many times, women with ovarian cancer have no symptoms or just mild symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage and hard to treat. Symptoms may include:
- Heavy feeling in pelvis
- Pain in lower abdomen
- Bleeding from the vagina
- Weight gain or loss
- Abnormal periods
- Unexplained back pain that gets worse
- Gas, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
Treatment is usually surgery followed by treatment with medicines called chemotherapy.
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Ovarian Cancer
(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/ovariancancer/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/ovariancancerspanish/htm/index.htm -
What Is Ovarian Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_is_ovarian_cancer_33.asp?sitearea=cri
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.org/docroot/esp/content/esp_5_1x_que_es_33.asp?
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What You Need to Know about Ovarian Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/ovary
- Ovarian Cancer(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Links to PDF - http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian/pdf/Ovarian_FS_0308.pdf
- Ovarian Cancer(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/ovarian-cancer/DS00293/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Drug Combo Fights Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Cell Growth(09/18/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69453.html
- How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_ovarian_cancer_diagnosed_33.asp
- Ovarian Cancer Has Early Symptoms(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Ovarian_Cancer_Symptoms_The_Silence_Is_Broken.asp
- Ovarian Cancer Tests(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/ovarian-2.html
- Questions and Answers about the CA-125 Test(Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Pathology) - http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/ca125qa.cfm
- How Is Ovarian Cancer Treated?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_How_is_ovarian_cancer_treated_33.asp?rnav=cri
- Ovarian Cancer Resource Guide for Women with Recurrent Disease(National Ovarian Cancer Coalition) - Large PDF file - http://www.ovarian.org/Images/ResourceGuideRecurrentOvarianCancer.pdf
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Ovarian Epithelial Cancer (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/ovarianepithelial/patient/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/tratamiento/epitelial-de-ovarios/patient/
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Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/ovarian-germ-cell/patient/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/tratamiento/celulas-germinales-ovario/patient/
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Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumors (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/ovarian-low-malignant-potential/patient/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/tratamiento/ovario-maligno-bajo/patient/
- Radiation Therapy for Gynecologic Cancers(American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology) - http://www.rtanswers.org/treatment/disease/gyn_cancer.htm
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Ovarian Cancer (PDQ): Prevention(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/ovarian/patient/
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Ovarian Cancer (PDQ): Screening(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/ovarian/patient/
- Ovarian Cancer: Why Screening Isn't Routine(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/SPC/content/SPC_1_ovarian_Q_A_Saslow.asp
- Prophylactic Oophorectomy: Preventing Cancer by Surgically Removing Your Ovaries(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/breast-cancer/WO00095/METHOD=print
- What Are the Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_factors_for_ovarian_cancer_33.asp
- Ovarian Cancer: Nutrition(Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Pathology) - http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/coping.cfm?CategoryID=7
- Ovarian Cancer: What Happens After Treatment?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_5x_what_happens_after_treatment_33.asp?sitearea=cri
- Ovarian Condition: Endometriosis(College of American Pathologists) - Links to PDF - http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/reference/myBiopsy/OvarianEndometroid.pdf
- Ovarian Serous Carcinoma(College of American Pathologists) - Links to PDF - http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/reference/myBiopsy/OvarianSerousCarcinoma.pdf
- Cancer Treatment for Women: Possible Sexual Side Effects(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer-treatment/SA00071/METHOD=print
- Do We Know What Causes Ovarian Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_Do_we_know_what_causes_ovarian_cancer_33.asp
- Fallopian Tube Cancer(American Society of Clinical Oncology) - http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Fallopian+Tube+Cancer
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Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/oral-contraceptives
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/oral-contraceptives-spanish
- Ovarian Cancer: Still Possible After Hysterectomy?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/ovarian-cancer/AN01018/METHOD=print
- Professional Help: Sexuality and Cancer(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/mit/content/mit_7_2x_where_to_seek_professional_help_women.asp
- Talcum Powder and Cancer(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_Talcum_Powder_and_Cancer.asp
- What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Ovarian Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_5x_what_should_you_ask_your_physician_about_ovarian_cancer_33.asp?sitearea=cri
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Ovarian Cancer Risk Questionnaire(Siteman Cancer Center) - http://www.yourdiseaserisk.siteman.wustl.edu/hccpquiz.pl?lang=english&func=start&quiz=ovarian
Also available in Spanish http://www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu/hccpquiz.pl?lang=spanish&func=start&quiz=ovarian
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Ovarian Cancer(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/ovariancancer/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/ovariancancerspanish/htm/index.htm
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Abdominal Hysterectomy with Coagulating Shears(OR-Live) - Requires Flash Player - One hour program - 9/11/2007 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM-Flash/ens_1879/rnh.cfm?id=632
- Atlas of the Body: Female Reproductive Organs(American Medical Association) - http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ8QKJ56JC&sub_cat=516
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Ovarian Neoplasms(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Ovarian+Neoplasms%22
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Genetic Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2: It's Your Choice(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA
- Genetic Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/training/perspectives/factshts/breastcancer.htm
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Genetics of Breast and Ovarian Cancer (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/genetics/breast-and-ovarian
- Birth Control Pill Use Cuts Ovarian Cancer Risk(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Birth_Control_Pill_Use_Cuts_Ovarian_Cancer_Risk.asp
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Impact of Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy on Quality of Life during Ovarian Cancer Treatment(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/IPchemo-QoL0207
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Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Ovarian Cancer: Questions and Answers(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/OvarianHRTQA
- Study Examines Lifestyle Factors and Ovarian Cancer(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Study_Examines_Lifestyle_Factors_and_Ovarian_Cancer_Risk.asp
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Ultrasound Expertise Important in the Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/ovarian-ultrasound0208
- What's New in Ovarian Cancer Research and Treatment?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_6x_whats_new_in_ovarian_cancer_research_and_treatment_33.asp?sitearea=cri
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Dual-targeted contrast agent for US assessment of tumor angiogenesis in... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18710985&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Blood test for ovarian cancer shows promise in early study. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18700291&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Common variable immunodeficiency: a new look at an old disease. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18692715&tool=MedlinePlus
- Ovarian Cancer -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(ovarian+neoplasms[majr]+OR+krukenberg+tumor[majr]+OR+pseudomyxoma+peritonei[majr])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+systematic[sb])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
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Dictionary of Cancer Terms(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary/
- Ovarian Cancer: Glossary(Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Pathology) - http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/glossary.cfm
- ACOG's Physician Directory(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - http://www.acog.org/member-lookup/disclaimer.cfm
- Find a Gynecologic Oncologist(Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, Women's Cancer Network) - http://www.wcn.org/interior.cfm?diseaseid=13&featureid=4
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National Cancer Institute Cancer Centers Program(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/NCI/cancer-centers
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/instituto/hojas-informativas/programa-centros-oncologicos
- American Cancer Society - http://www.cancer.org/
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National Cancer Institute - http://www.cancer.gov/
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition - http://www.ovarian.org/
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Cancer Stat Facts: Cancer of the Ovary(National Cancer Institute) - http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/ovary.html
- Comparing Ovarian Cancer in Different U.S. States(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian/statistics/state.htm
- What Are the Key Statistics about Ovarian Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_are_the_key_statistics_for_ovarian_cancer_33.asp?sitearea=cri
- Cancers - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cancers.html
- Endocrine System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/endocrinesystem.html
- Female Reproductive System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/femalereproductivesystem.html
- Women - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/women.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Ovarian Cancer is the National Cancer Institute - http://www.nci.nih.gov/