An abnormal growth of cells present in the ovaries which form tumor is known as ovarian cancer. This type of cancer usually affects women above the age of 50 but it can also affect younger women. Family history, gene mutation, the age when menstruation began and stopped are other factors which play an important role in the case of ovarian cancer. The treatment of ovarian cancer depends on the type of ovarian cancer one is suffering from.

Ovarian cancer treatment depends on the type of ovarian cancer one is suffering from. There are three main varieties of ovarian cancer:

1. Epithelial ovarian cancer
This type of cancer starts from the ovary i.e. the epithelium. It is one of the most common types of ovarian cancer among those who have been through menopause. Most epithelial tumors are not cancerous but if the tumor turns cancerous, it is called carcinoma.

Carcinoma is further subdivided into four types:

• Serous carcinoma

Serous carcinoma is a tumor which is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and is aggressive in nature.

• Clear cell carcinoma

Clear or pale in color, this rare type of ovarian cancer cells have solid boundaries with cells filled with fluid or glycogen. These types of cancer cells are usually found in the ovaries or lower urinary tract.

• Mucinous carcinoma

Mucinous carcinoma can be detected in the earlier stage i.e. before the tumor begins to form as compared to other types of ovarian cancer.

• Endometrioid carcinoma

A low-grade tumor which can be detected at an early stage and is less aggressive in nature is termed as endometrioid carcinoma.

2. Ovarian germ cell tumors
In this type of ovarian cancer, tumors appear on the egg-producing cells of the ovaries. Usually, women under the age of 30 are affected by this type of ovarian cancer. This type of ovarian cancer usually affects only one ovary.

Germ cell tumors can be subdivided into four rare types:

• Benign germ cell ovarian tumors

Also known as teratoma, this type of tumor is very rare and looks like three layers of a developing embryo. It is usually non-cancerous.

• Malignant germ cell ovarian cancer

This rare type of ovarian cancer is also known as dysgerminoma. It usually affects girls in their teens. It does not grow or spread quickly.

• Endodermal sinus tumor and choriocarcinoma

These two subtypes are very rare but the tumor in both the cases grows and spreads very fast.

3. Sex cord-stromal tumor
This type of ovarian cancer develops from the stroma tissue cells which are responsible for producing female estrogen and progesterone and sometimes cause vaginal bleeding.

Stromal tumor is further divided into two types:

• Granulosa cell tumor
• Sertoli-Leydig tumor

4. Less common types of ovarian cancer

• Ovarian sarcoma

In this case, connective tissues of the ovarian cells are affected.

• Krukenberg tumors

Here, the tumor spreads from the gastrointestinal tract to the ovaries.

• Ovarian cyst

Cysts are common during ovulation and mostly go away on their own without treatment. Sacs filled with fluid inside the ovary are known as ovarian cysts.