Types of Ovarian Cancer- Why is it important for you to know

Do you know that cancer is the only disease that can affect nearly all the organs inside your body? This is because cancer is nothing but an abnormal growth of cells in an organ, which can spread to other organs as well.

While most cancers are common to both men and women, some are exclusive to just one of them. One such cancer is Ovarian Cancer that affects women only. Ovarian Cancer is a type of cancer in which abnormal cells in your ovary begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, and eventually form a growth (tumour) in one or both of your ovaries.

Types of Ovarian Cells

Your ovaries have three main types of cells, and a tumor can develop in any of them. The ovarian cells are of three types:

• Epithelial cells: These cells cover the surface of your ovary

• Germ cells: These cells produce your eggs (ova)

• Stromal cells: These cells hold your ovaries together and produce hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.

Depending on the kind of cell where they begin, ovarian cancer are categorised into:

1. Epithelial Tumors

These tumors begin in the thin layer of tissue that covers the outside of your ovaries. Most epithelial tumors do not turn out to be cancerous. But if your epithelial tumor is cancer, it’s called a carcinoma. About 90 percent of ovarian cancers are epithelial tumors. It is common in women who have gone through menopause.

2. Germ Cell Tumors

These tumors begin in the egg-producing cells. These rare ovarian cancers usually occur in younger women, however women of any age can get them. Most of these tumors are benign.

3. Stromal Tumors

Stromal Tumors begin in the ovarian tissue that contains hormone-producing cells. These tumors are usually diagnosed earlier than other ovarian tumors.

Early diagnosis can significantly improve survival rates for ovarian cancer patients. If you experience any of the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer, then visit a doctor and get yourself checked immediately.