Ovarian Cancer Series 01: What Is Ovarian Cancer?
When people hear the term “ovarian cancer,” they often think of a single type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. In reality, ovarian cancer includes several different types of cancer, depending on the cells and tissues where the cancer develops. Our understanding of where ovarian cancer begins has also changed. In particular, some of the most common ovarian cancers are now thought to begin not in the ovary itself, but in the fallopian tube. This is one reason why ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers are often discussed together in medical guidelines and patient information. So what exactly do we mean when we talk about ovarian cancer? What Are the Ovaries? The ovaries are reproductive organs located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. They contain and release eggs and produce hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Different types of tumors can develop in the ovaries. However, finding an ovarian tumor or cyst does not necessarily mean that can...