Some women who still have menstrual cycles may develop cysts on the ovary which can be felt on a pelvic exam or seen on tests. A cyst is a small growth on the ovary which is filled with fluid. Usually they are never cancerous for younger women. Sometimes the cyst is small and does not cause any problems, however if it does not go away it should be evaluated. Cysts are less common in women who have already gone through menopause, but when they do occur they are more likely to be cancerous.
Ovarian cancer comes from cells of the ovary that grow and divide rapidly.
The cells may grow to form a tumor on the ovary and spread to other parts of the body. Ovarian cancer often does not cause any noticable symptoms, however, there are some warning signals. It is recommended that women over 40 undergo a complete pelvic examination annually. Three out of four ovarian tumors are not cancerous. When ovarian cancer spreads, it first affects nearby organs.