How Fast Does Ovarian Cancer Grow?
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What is Ovarian Cancer?
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The ovaries contain cells that reproduce to maintain tissue health. If those cells experience uncontrolled growth, dividing too fast into too many cells, a tumor is formed. Sometimes that tumor will stay contained within a small area of the ovary. This is a benign tumor that can be surgically removed. If it spreads to surrounding organs, the tissue is considered malignant and cancerous.
Cancer Stages
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Ovarian cancer has four stages: stage 1, when cancer cells are found only in the ovaries; stage 2, when cancer cells have spread from the ovaries to surrounding tissue like the fallopian tubes or the uterus; stage 3, when cancer cells have spread outside the pelvic area or to the lymph nodes, and stage 4, when cancer cells have spread to tissue outside of the pelvis and abdomen, such as the liver or lungs.
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How Fast Does the Cancer Progress?
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Many factors will play into how fast the cancer progresses in an individual. Some of these factors are family history, stress, diet and whether the patient is undergoing treatment or not. The cancer may also seem faster growing because it tends not to be diagnosed until later stages. The important thing is to have regular examinations that will increase the chances of finding any cancerous signs as early as possible.
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- Photo Credit A benign ovarian tumor. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
