Ovarian Cancer — Stages and Survival Rate

Ovarian cancer is of epithelial origin in 60% of the patients. Most patients present at an advanced stage due to the lack of specific symptoms except for mucinous ovarian cancer where abdominal distension is so severe that patients present very early in the disease. Once the diagnosis is suspected, the patient usually undergoes a transvaginal ultrasonography, abdomen-pelvic CT scan and CA-125 concentration measurement. If an ovarian cyst or mass is identified, its characteristics should be noted and a risk of malignancy index can be calculated. Treatment involves neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy with or without surgery.