Print Overview Ovarian cancer Enlarge image Close Ovarian cancer Ovarian cancer Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The ovaries are each about the size of an almond. They produce eggs, called ova, as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer is a growth of cells that forms in the ovaries. The cells multiply quickly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. The female reproductive system contains two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries — each about the size of an almond — produce eggs (ova) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer treatment usually involves surgery and chemotherapy.Products & ServicesAssortment Women's Health Products from Mayo Clinic Store Symptoms Female reproductive system Enlarge image Close Female reproductive system Female reproductive system The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina (vaginal canal) make up the female reproductive system. When ovarian cancer first develops, it might not cause any noticeable symptoms. When ovarian cancer symptoms happen, they're usually attributed to other, more common conditions. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include: Abdominal bloating or swelling Quickly feeling full when eating Weight loss Discomfort in the pelvic area Fatigue Back pain Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation A frequent need to urinate When to see a doctorMake an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.More InformationOvarian cancer care at Mayo ClinicCA 125 test: A screening test for ovarian cancer? Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. 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Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesIt's not clear what causes ovarian cancer, though doctors have identified things that can increase the risk of the disease. Doctors know that ovarian cancer begins when cells in or near the ovaries develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. The changes tell the cells to grow and multiply quickly, creating a mass (tumor) of cancer cells. The cancer cells continue living when healthy cells would die. They can invade nearby tissues and break off from an initial tumor to spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Types of ovarian cancerThe type of cell where the cancer begins determines the type of ovarian cancer you have and helps your doctor determine which treatments are best for you. Ovarian cancer types include: Epithelial ovarian cancer. This type is the most common. It includes several subtypes, including serous carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma. Stromal tumors. These rare tumors are usually diagnosed at an earlier stage than other ovarian cancers. Germ cell tumors. These rare ovarian cancers tend to occur at a younger age. Risk factorsFactors that can increase your risk of ovarian cancer include: Older age. The risk of ovarian cancer increases as you age. It's most often diagnosed in older adults. Inherited gene changes. A small percentage of ovarian cancers are caused by genes changes you inherit from your parents. The genes that increase the risk of ovarian cancer include BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes also increase the risk of breast cancer. Several other gene changes are known to increase the risk of ovarian cancer, including gene changes associated with Lynch syndrome and the genes BRIP1, RAD51C and RAD51D. Family history of ovarian cancer. If you have blood relatives who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may have an increased risk of the disease. Being overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of ovarian cancer. Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. Taking hormone replacement therapy to control menopause signs and symptoms may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Endometriosis. Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that lines the inside of your uterus grows outside your uterus. Age when menstruation started and ended. Beginning menstruation at an early age or starting menopause at a later age, or both, may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Never having been pregnant. If you've never been pregnant, you may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Prevention Symptoms and causes There's no sure way to prevent ovarian cancer. But there may be ways to reduce your risk: Consider taking birth control pills. Ask your doctor whether birth control pills (oral contraceptives) may be right for you. Taking birth control pills reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. But these medications do have risks, so discuss whether the benefits outweigh those risks based on your situation. Discuss your risk factors with your doctor. If you have a family history of breast and ovarian cancers, bring this up with your doctor. Your doctor can determine what this may mean for your own risk of cancer. You may be referred to a genetic counselor who can help you decide whether genetic testing may be right for you. If you're found to have a gene change that increases your risk of ovarian cancer, you may consider surgery to remove your ovaries to prevent cancer. By Mayo Clinic Staff Ovarian cancer care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment May 09, 2023 Print Living with ovarian cancer? Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Gynecologic Cancers support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community. Gynecologic Cancers Discussions What Kind of Radiation Did You Get for Your Gynecological Cancer? 80 Replies Wed, Nov 20, 2024 chevron-right Anyone had colpocleisis surgery? I want to learn more 136 Replies Tue, Nov 19, 2024 chevron-right Squamous Cell Vulvar Cancer: Who out there has this cancer? 273 Replies Thu, Nov 14, 2024 chevron-right See more discussions Show references Hoffman BL, et al. Epithelial ovarian cancer. In: Williams Gynecology. 4th ed. McGraw Hill; 2020. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed May 5, 2021. Niederhuber JE, et al., eds. Carcinoma of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 5, 2021. Ovarian cancer including fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=1&id=1453. Accessed May 5, 2021. Ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer prevention (PDQ) — Patient version. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/types/ovarian/patient/ovarian-prevention-pdq. Accessed May 5, 2021. Van Stein RM, et al. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian and colorectal cancer. JAMA Oncology. 2021; doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.0580. Palliative care. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=3&id=1454. Accessed May 5, 2021. Ovarian SPOREs. National Cancer Institute. https://trp.cancer.gov/spores/ovarian.htm. Accessed May 5, 2021. Warner KJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Feb. 26, 2021. Member institutions. Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. https://www.allianceforclinicaltrialsinoncology.org/main/public/standard.xhtml?path=%2FPublic%2FInstitutions. Accessed May 5, 2021. Genetic/familial high-risk assessment: Breast, ovarian and pancreatic. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=2&id=1503. Accessed June 24, 2021. Gershenson DM, et al. Management of low-grade, serous carcinoma of the ovary. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 25, 2021. Related Beating Ovarian Cancer CA 125 test: A screening test for ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer: Still possible after hysterectomy? Pap test: Can it detect ovarian cancer? Show more related content Associated Procedures Abdominal hysterectomy BRCA gene test CA 125 test Chemotherapy Oophorectomy (ovary removal surgery) Pelvic exam Ultrasound Vaginal hysterectomy Show more associated procedures News from Mayo Clinic Ovarian cancer: New treatments and research May 05, 2024, 11:00 a.m. CDT New surgical method for ovarian cancer lights up lesions Aug. 30, 2023, 02:43 p.m. CDT Mayo Clinic researchers link ovarian cancer to bacteria colonization in microbiome Jan. 16, 2023, 04:00 p.m. CDT Products & Services Assortment Women's Health Products from Mayo Clinic Store Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has been ranked among the best Gynecology hospitals in the nation for 2024-2025 by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor Ovarian cancerSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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