Causes of Ovarian Cancer

The exact causes of ovarian caner are still unknown. The cancer which leads to the formation of tumors in one or both the ovaries as a result of abnormal growth and multiplication of cells is the ovarian cancer.

As known the ovaries are the part of female reproductive system. They are said to produce the eggs or the ova along with the female sex hormones the estrogen and the progesterone.

According to the statistics ovarian cancer is the most common type of cancers in women. Studies say that it ranks fifth in cancer deaths among females. Like in any other cancer in case of ovarian cancer too the chances of recovery or prognosis and the survival rate is good or better if detected at an early stage.

The causes of ovarian causes remain unknown. The researchers have proved that the ovarian cancer shows some early symptoms. This was lately observed, as earlier it was thought that no symptoms are revealed in the initial stage of the disease for any detection.

But as this is proved false it is highly recommended that being cautious and observing any unusual sign or symptom proves useful.

The common type of ovarian cancer is the epithelial. Fortunately people with this type are cured off the disease if caught at an early stage. Ovarian cancer happens when cells that are not normal grow in one or both of the ovaries.

Major Causes of Ovarian Cancer

The exact causes of ovarian cancer are not clear yet. As known the cancer results due to the abnormal growth of the cells in certain areas or organs of the body. This abnormality in the cells or the causes of ovarian cancer may be as a result of a genetic change, change in mutations or a heredity link.

When this might occur in case of ovarian cancer is that while ovulation meaning when the ova is produced in females they will be a rupture of the tissue to release this ova during a woman’s reproductive years. The tissue repair continues after this.

Researchers say that during this formation and division of new cells at the rupture site the genetic change or error may occur thus leading to abnormal cell behavior and growth followed by multiplication. The accumulation of these abnormal cells in the ovaries leads to the formation of a tumor.

These tumors form causes of ovarian cancer as they are cancerous in nature. These tumors may be divided into three types depending on where they occur in the ovary. They include:

  • Epithelial tumors: The most common type of tumor is the epithelial form which occurs generally in postmenopausal women. About 85 percent to 90 percent of ovarian cancers develop in the epithelium, the thin layer of tissue that covers the ovaries.
  • Germ cell tumors: These tumors are more common in young women as these tumors occur in the egg-producing cells of the ovary
  • Stromal tumors: These tumors develop in the estrogen- and progesterone-producing tissue that holds the ovary together

The exact causes of ovarian cancer as said are not known clearly. One of the cause or risk factor may be a family history of cancer. Some women are more likely than others to get this rare ovarian cancer. They include women who are past menopause, who have never been pregnant, or who have never used birth control hormones.