Types Of Ovarian Cancer
The ovaries are made up of 3 main kinds of cells – epithelial cells, stromal cells and germ cells. Each of these cells can develop into a different type of tumour.
Epithelial ovarian cancer
This is cancer that starts in the cells lining the surface layer (epithelium) of the ovary. It is the most common type of ovarian cancer, accounting for 9 out of 10 cases. It most often affects women over 50; the average age of diagnosis is the early 60s.
There are several subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers, which include:
high-grade serous (the most common type)
endometrioid
low-grade serous
mucinous
clear cell
undifferentiated or unclassifiable.
Cancers related to epithelial ovarian cancer
Other cancers related to ovarian cancer – primary peritoneal and fallopian tube cancer – have similar symptoms and treatment.
