How Can You Get Ovarian Cancer?
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Malignant and Benign Tumors
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Ovarian cancer, or cancer of the ovaries, claims the lives of roughly 15,000 American women annually, according to the Ovarian Cancer National Allegiance. Normally, a woman has two ovaries on both sides of her uterus. These almond-sized organs produce the female sex eggs in addition to the hormones known as estrogen and progesterone. When abnormal cells grow on the ovaries, a tumor can form that is either cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Noncancerous tumors are contained and don't metastasize or spread to other tissues and organs. Cancerous tumors spread by either traveling to the closest pelvis and abdomen tissue (or organ) or by entering the bloodstream and traveling through the lymph channels to reach other body areas.
Locations of Ovarian Tumors
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Depending on where they form, the three main types of ovarian tumors include epithelial tumors, germ cell tumors and stromal tumors. Epithelial tumors are the most common type, with about 85 to 90 percent of all cases of ovarian cancer beginning in the thin tissue layer known as the epithelium. Germ cell tumors develop within the cells of the ovary that produce eggs and classically occur in younger women. Stromal tumors form in the tissue holding the ovary together that produces estrogen and progesterone.
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Damage to Ovarian Follicle
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Although the precise reason for ovarian cancer remains unclear, some researchers contend it's linked with tissue repair after a woman's monthly release of an egg (ovulation). It's believed the disease can be caused by a small tear in the ovarian follicle. New cells forming and dividing at the area of the rupture can trigger a genetic error. Still other researchers argue that increasing hormone levels both before and during ovulation may kindle abnormal cell production.
Genetic Factors
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The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are also found in breast cancer patients, can cause most ovarian cancers that are inherited. These genes serve as tumor suppressors when they are normal, producing proteins that prevent cells from abnormal growth, stopping cancer. However, if you inherit a mutation of only one of the genes from either parent, the protein that foils cancer isn't as effective, raising your odds for developing either ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Interestingly, these mutations are roughly 10 times more dominant in those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent than the people of the general American population, according to the American Cancer Society.
Other Factors
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It's believed taking male hormones known as androgen can be another possible cause. Also, there's a connection between using the drug for treating endometriosis known as danazol. As most cases of ovarian cancer occur in women after menopause, age is another factor. Some doctors believe taking hormone replacement and estrogen replacement therapy can increase the risk for getting the disease.
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