Ovarian cancer is a broad term for admirable growth of cells that originate in the ovaries. There are two ovaries that are present in a woman. Most commonly, ovaries are known as the female organs that produce eggs. However, ovaries are also essential in producing female hormones like estrogen and progesterone and others. In 2021, about 21,000 women will receive a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. And about 13,000 women will die from ovarian cancer.

Let’s step back a bit and define what is cancer. Cancer is a disease in which normal cells lose control and grow in an uninhibited manner in the body. Cancer is always named for the organ or part of the body where it starts, even though it can spread and present itself in other parts of the body. This is confusing at times for patients, so I’ll explain a bit more.

Cancer that starts in the ovaries will be called ovarian cancer. If it spreads to the lung, for example, it would be still called ovarian cancer that has now metastasized or spread to the lungs. This means that the original cancer cells from the ovary traveled up to the lung and started growing there.

Key Takeaways

1. Ovarian cancer is a broad term for abnormal growth of cells that originate in the ovaries.

2. There are two ovaries that are present in a woman – they produce eggs and are also essential in producing female hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

3. In 2021, about 21,000 women will receive a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. And about 13,000 women will die from ovarian cancer.