Ovarian cancer can be a devastating disease. But there is hope. Our cancer specialists help people have a better quality of life and live longer.
Medically reviewed by Hui Amy Chen, M.D. on Nov. 14, 2023.
Ovarian cancer is cancer that originates in the ovaries or the fallopian tubes. The ovaries are a pair of organs that produce eggs for reproduction. The eggs travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus (where a fetus grows). The most common type of ovarian cancer is epithelial ovarian carcinoma.
At UC Davis Health, our doctors and research scientists have expertise in diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer. We collaborate to develop new treatment options that our patients can take advantage of right away.
Early ovarian cancer may not cause symptoms. When symptoms do appear, the cancer may be at an advanced stage.
Possible signs of ovarian cancer include:
Additional symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
Researchers don’t know the exact cause of ovarian cancer. One theory is that gene mutations cause normal cells to become cancerous. These changes may happen over your lifetime or be inherited (you are born with them).
Anyone with ovaries can develop ovarian cancer. The following factors may increase your risk:
Your risk increases with age. Most ovarian cancers occur after menopause.
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of ovarian cancer.
Those who never carried a pregnancy to term or carried to term after age 35 have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
You face a greater risk if you have a family history of ovarian, breast or colorectal cancer. The more relatives you have with these types of cancer, the higher your risk of developing ovarian cancer.
People who have endometriosis may be at increased risk for ovarian cancer because the genetic risk factors for both conditions are very similar.
People with asbestos exposure have a higher risk of ovarian cancer. While talcum powder products have not been linked to ovarian cancer, some talcum mines may have been contaminated with asbestos. Therefore, people who used talcum powder may be at increased risk of ovarian cancer.
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has advanced imaging and diagnostic capabilities. Our team of specialists continuously looks for new ways to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages. We are experts at diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer.
To diagnose ovarian cancer, we will perform a physical exam and ask about your personal and family health history to learn about possible risk factors. If we think you may have ovarian cancer, we will order tests to check.
We may order imaging tests such as ultrasounds, CT scans and MRI scans to get a better look at your ovaries and possibly other organs. We may also recommend blood tests to check for levels of a specific substance in your blood (CA 125). Or we may take a biopsy (remove some tissue) to check for signs of cancer.
The cancer team at UC Davis Health offers several treatment options for ovarian cancer. We offer standard treatments, as well as new treatments through clinical trials. We customize our treatment plans to your individual needs.
Standard treatment may include:
We give you anti-cancer drugs called chemotherapy to stop the growth of cancer cells. You may receive the drugs systemically (injected into your vein or in pill form). Or you may get them through a thin tube into your pelvic area.
Most patients have surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
There is no known way to prevent ovarian cancer. Some risk factors, such as having a family history of ovarian cancer, cannot be changed. If you do have a family history, genetic testing is very important because we can take some preventative measures to help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
There are other things you can do to reduce your risk, such as:
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of ovarian cancer.
Taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills) for several years lowers the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
In some cases, tubal ligation (getting your tubes tied) and hysterectomy (removing your uterus) may reduce the risk of certain types of ovarian cancer.
1 in 78Women get ovarian cancer over the course of their lifetime
Source: American Cancer Society: Key Statistics for Ovarian Cancer
Our cancer specialists provide thorough evaluations and personalized treatment plans. Learn more about how to make an appointment at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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