This Publication Is Searchable The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Section 18. Gynecology And Obstetrics Chapter 241. About 1 in 70 women eventually develops ovarian cancer, and 1 in 100 women dies of it.
Ovarian cancer affects predominantly perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Etiology and Pathology Incidence is higher in industrialized countries in which dietary fat intake is high. A history of nulliparity, infertility, late childbearing, and delayed menopause increases risk. Use of oral contraceptives significantly decreases risk. A personal or family history of endometrial, breast, or colon cancer increases risk. Ovarian tumors are the most histologically diverse group of tumors.