Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissue. Ovarian cancers are a group of diseases that affect a woman’s ovaries.

There are several types of ovarian cancer. While these diseases are all called “ovarian” because they affect the ovaries, they are actually unique in terms of their origin, how they look under a microscope, and their behaviors, treatment and prognosis. Ovarian tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Although abnormal, cells of benign tumors do not metastasize (spread to other parts of the body).

Additionally, ovarian cysts are different than ovarian tumors and can be fairly common. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled while ovarian tumors are usually solid masses. Most ovarian cysts are not harmful, don’t cause symptoms and are not indicative of risk for future ovarian cancer, though some complex ovarian cysts may raise the risk.     

Because fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer are generally treated the same way as ovarian cancer, much of the information in this section can also apply to those two cancers. 

MOCA serves and welcomes people who are diagnosed with fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer, in addition to ovarian cancer.

Information in the Understanding Ovarian Cancer section is provided by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA). MOCA is a community partner of this national research and advocacy organization.

Additional information in this section is provided by The Foundation for Women’s Cancer and The National Institutes of Health (NIH).