Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that forms in a women’s ovaries, which are responsible for producing eggs. Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that affects a women’s ovaries. Though ovarian cancer is not easy to detect, it is often spotted in older women, especially those who have crossed the age of 50. Like every other cancer, ovarian cancer too can be fatal if detected at a later stage. However, it can be cured with medical treatment. There are six types of ovarian cancer.

Epithelial ovarian cancer:  One of the most common types of ovarian cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer affects the surface layer of the ovary. It is subdivided into five categories: serous, endometrioid, clear cell, mucinous, and undifferentiated. Serous is the most common type of epithelial cancer, and it can be classified as serious or low grade. When understanding cancer, it is essential to know what stage the patient is in. This, in turn, helps the doctors to determine the course of the treatment.

Primary peritoneal cancer:  This is an extremely rare type of cancer. In this type, the cancer spreads in the tissue that lines the inside of a patient’s abdomen. This lining of the tissue is referred to as peritoneum and hence this type of cancer is called primary peritoneal cancer (PPC). The peritoneum is a membranous layer covering all the organs within a person’s stomach, including the abdomen, bowel, and the liver.

Fallopian tube cancer:  This type of cancer develops in the fallopian tubes that connect the ovaries to the womb. It is a rare type of cancer. Although the exact causes of fallopian tube cancer are not fully known, it is assumed to be associated with family history. The symptoms of fallopian tube cancer can include vaginal bleeding, a watery discharge from the vagina, abdominal pain, or a swollen abdomen.

Ovarian teratoma:  Ovarian teratoma is a type of germ cell tumor. It typically affects women who are in their early 20s. There are two main types of ovarian teratoma, namely mature teratoma that is non-cancerous and immature teratoma that is cancerous. Ovarian teratoma can be treated using surgery and chemotherapy.

Granulosa cell tumor:  Granulosa cell tumor is a type of cancer that occurs in the stroma, which is a connective tissue in the ovary. There are two types of ovarian teratoma, namely functioning and non-functioning. The symptoms of granulosa cell tumor include breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding, and changes in the menstrual cycle – all of which are hormone related. It can be treated by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Borderline ovarian tumors:  Borderline ovarian tumors develop in the tissues covering the ovary. They are not cancerous and can be cured with surgery. This type of cancer affects women in the age group of 20-40 years and it can be diagnosed at an early stage. The symptoms of borderline ovarian tumors include pain in the stomach, abdominal swelling, pain during or after sex, and vaginal bleeding.