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OVARIAN CANCER

Ovarian cancer affects 12 out of every 1,000 women in the United States over the age of forty, and only two or three of these women will ultimately be cured of their disease. The average age of onset is sixty-four. Approximately 25,500 new cases are diagnosed each year, and 14,500 women die of the disease annually. The etiology of epithelial ovarian cancer is unknown, and it is usually asymptomatic until presenting as advanced staged disease. The majority of ovarian cancers are believed to arise sporadically, however three discrete hereditary syndromes are currently recognized.

THOMAS J. RUTHERFORD

(SEE ALSO: Cancer; Carcinogenesis)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lynch, H. T., and Lynch, J. F. (1989). "Hereditary Ovarian Cancer." Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 6:783.

Wingo, P. A.; Tong, T.; and Bodden, S. (1992). "Cancer Statistics." CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 45:8.

Young, R. C.; Fuks, Z.; and Hoskins, W. J. (1989). "Cancer of the Ovary." In Cancer: Principles and Practices of Oncology, 3rd edition, eds. V. T. DeVita, Jr.,S. Hellman, and S. A. Rosenberg. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott.