What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a cancer that affects the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that flank the uterus inside the pelvis. They are the main source of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

Ovaries, whose main function is to produce ovules, have epithelial cells on their surface and germinal cells in their interior. The ovaries' structural tissue is comprised of hormone-producing stromal cells.

Cancer is due to runaway proliferation of ovarian cells, forming an abnormal mass. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding tissue, and they can also separate from the original tumour and create new tumours in other parts of the body. This process is called metastasis, and it can occur via the blood or lymphatics.

Ovarian cancer symptoms are usually more abdominal and gastrointestinal than pelvic. Because initial symptoms my be very mild or indistinguishable, ovarian cancer is difficult to detect early on.

Experts have started working on an ovarian cancer symptoms index with a view to raising awareness about the illness and early detection. Signs and symptoms include: