Different Types of Ovarian Cancer
The different types of ovarian cancer are not easy to detect from early on. The disease usually affects women over the age of 50, but it can also occur in younger females. As in the case of other cancer types, the sooner it is discovered, the better the prognosis. However, since symptoms may be absent or mild, women may not know that they have ovarian cancer until it is in its later stages. Possible symptoms may include: pressure in pelvic area, bloating, lower abdomen pain, vaginal bleeding, irregular periods, back pain, weight loss or gain, nausea, vomiting, and more. The different types of ovarian cancer might metastasize. If so,
cancer cells spread to nearby tissues and organs, and even to the blood and lymph vessels. The different types of ovarian cancer can be divided into three categories based on the location where the
tumors develop on the ovaries. They include: epithelial carcinomas, germ cell carcinomas, and stromal carcinomas. Epithelial carcinomas grow on the epithelium, or the layer that covers the ovaries. They include serous, mucinous, endometrioid and clear cell cancers. Of all the different types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinomas are the most common. Germ cell carcinomas grow in the cells that form eggs, and include immature teratomas, dysgerminomas, ovarian choriocarcinomas, and endodermal sinus tumors (yolk sac tumors). Stromal carcinomas grow in the tissues that produce progesterone and estrogen, and include granulosa cell tumors, granulosa-theca tumors, and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors. Most ovarian cysts are not cancerous, but there is certain a possibility of cancer. It is best to educate yourself on the different types of ovarian cancer and the symptoms involved.
