Most epithelial ovarian tumors are harmless, but some are cancerous. Germ Cell Tumors Germ cells are early or seed cells that function to form the eggs in the ovary. Most germ cell tumors are benign, although some are cancerous. Stromal Cell Tumors Stromal cell tissue functions to hold the ovary together and produces female hormones. Incidence Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women, and is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women.
Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other reproductive organ cancer.
The chances of survival from ovarian cancer are better if the cancer is found early. Most women who have ovarian cancer are older. In fact, over half of all ovarian cancers are found in women over age 65. Half of all ovarian cancers are found in women over 65. Menstrual history There seems to be a relationship between the number of menstrual cycles in a woman's lifetime and her risk of having ovarian cancer.