The lymph system can act as a conduit for spread of infections or cancer, but conversely it may help limit these processes by trapping and destroying germs or cancer cells. The counterpart to the ovaries are the male testicles, to the clitoris is the penis, and to the vulva is the scrotal sac. This is different than the male, who continues to produce new sperm through adult life. The ovary is composed of several types of cells, each of which can give rise to specific cancers. As the ovary ages, it gives up its egg cells during each month's period or for a pregnancy.
Most ovarian cancers occur after the age of menopause.
These cells divide to produce new ones, and grow very rapidly during womb life, early childhood and puberty. In adulthood, new cells are produced only to replace those that die of old age, injury or disease. As mentioned, no more egg cells are ever produced after womb life, however other ovarian cells are. Normally, division of cells is under very tight control. The genes themselves are made up of DNA, the master genetic code material.