Basic Characteristics of Ovarian Cancer

The etiology of ovarian cancer is unknown. Some women, however, seem to be at great risk for the development of this serious disease, which is the major killer among gynaecologic malignancies. The tumor most frequently arises from the superficial ovarian epithelium. A variety of histologic types of ovarian cancer can be identified: serous, mucinous, endometrioid, clear-cell, mixed, undifferentiated, unclassified and Brenner ovarian tumours. As to the degree of differentiation, we distinguish between well differentiated, moderately and poorly differentiated carcinomas. Borderline malignant tumours with specific histologic and biologic features form a separate group. Less frequently, malignant tumours occur as a result of metastatic spread directly to the abdominal cavity via lymphatic channels into the retroperitoneal space, and hematogenously to more distant organs. According to the extent of malignant spread, determined on the basis of surgical and histologic findings, ovarian cancers are classified in four clinical stages. The stage is determined on the basis of surgical findings and histologic examination.