Ovarian Cancer

Worldwide, ovarian cancer is the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer and the eighth most common cause of death from cancer. In 2012, 239,000 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 152,000 women died of the disease worldwide. In the United States in 2015, an estimated 21,290 women were newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 14,180 died from the disease. Both incidence and mortality have decreased over time in the United States, with a 1.6% and 2.1% annual decrease, respectively, from 2003 to 2012. Ovarian cancers can arise from epithelial, germ, or stromal cells, although about 90% are epithelial in origin. Risk factors best confirmed to increase risk of ovarian cancer include age and a family history of ovarian cancer, while parity, oral contraceptive use, and tubal ligation decrease risk. Several etiologic pathways, including hormonal and inflammatory pathways, have garnered substantial support from both epidemiologic and laboratory studies, although many questions remain.