Gynecologic Cancer|Cervical Cancer

Ovarian cancer overview - It occurs when a tumor forms in one or both of ovaries. The ovaries are a pair of small organs that produce and release ova, or human eggs. They are located in the lower abdomen (pelvis)

On either side of the womb (uterus). Ova released by the ovaries travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where they may or may not be fertilized by the male sperm.

Ovarian Cancer Overview, In a process called metastasis, malignant tumors may develop and invade neighboring organs or lymph nodes.

They may enter the bloodstream and spread to remote organs such as the liver or lungs. Metastatic tumors are the most aggressive and serious of all other tumors.

Ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose because symptoms often do not occur until late in the disease when it is too late. Symptoms do not occur until the tumor has grown large enough to apply pressure to other organs in the abdomen. The symptoms are nonspecific and could be due to many different conditions. Cancer is not usually the first thing considered in a woman having symptoms. The only early symptom of the disease is menstrual irregularity. Symptoms that come later may include the following: