Understanding Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer Ranks Fifth in Cancer Deaths Among Women1

The disease causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer in the United States.1

MORE THAN 22,000 WOMEN WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH OVARIAN CANCER IN THE U.S. IN 20191

In addition, nearly 14,000 women will die from the disease in the U.S. in 20191

ABOUT 1 IN 78

The approximate risk of a woman of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime1

Many Women Don’t Know the Signs and Symptoms1

Common signs and symptoms include:

BLOATING
PELVIC OR ABDOMINAL PAIN
TROUBLE EATING OR FEELING FULL QUICKLY
FEELING THE NEED TO URINATE URGENTLY OR OFTEN

Ovarian Cancer is Diagnosed in Different Stages2

Stage I ovarian cancer is when cancer is only in the ovaries and has not spread to other organs.

Stage II ovarian cancer is when the cancer has spread to other organs or tissues in the pelvis.

Stage III ovarian cancer is when the cancer has spread outside the pelvis to organs or tissues in the abdomen.

Stage IV ovarian cancer is when the cancer has spread outside the pelvis and abdomen to organs or tissues within the body.

There Are Also Different Classifications2

Ovarian cancer that returns after platinum-based chemotherapy can be classified in two ways:

PLATINUM-RESISTANT

When a relapse happens less than 6 months after the last platinum-based chemotherapy treatment

PLATINUM-SENSITIVE

When a relapse happens at least 6 months after the last platinum-based chemotherapy treatment

There Are Different Treatment Options Available1,2

Surgery is used to see how far the cancer has spread from the ovary and is also used to remove as much of the tumor as possible.

Chemotherapy kills fast-growing cells, including cancer cells and normal cells.

Targeted therapy targets a specific feature of cancer cells.

Hormone therapy stops the body from making certain hormones or stops the action of the hormones.

Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays or particles to kill cancerous cells.

For more information and to learn about the latest treatment options, consult your doctor, or visit www.ovarian.org.

References

  1. Ovarian Cancer. American Cancer Society; 2019 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer.html.
  2. Ovarian Cancer. National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 2019 https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/ovarian/files/assets/common/downloads/files/ovarian.pdf.