Ovarian cancer

Overview

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The ovaries hold a woman's eggs and produce hormones.

Ovarian cancer symptoms are not specific to the disease, so they often are ignored or are mistaken for more-common conditions. For this reason, most cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed when the cancer has spread beyond the ovary and cure isn't possible.

Ovarian cancer treatment usually involves surgery and chemotherapy.

Read more about ovarian cancer.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for ovarian cancer

• Teamwork. At Mayo Clinic, care for women with ovarian cancer involves a team of experts. Doctors trained in obstetrics and gynecology with additional training in surgery and cancer treatment (gynecologic oncologists), work as a team with other medical experts such as medical oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiation oncologists and other professionals, as needed.
• Experience. Mayo Clinic doctors have experience treating many cases of ovarian cancer.
• A full range of treatment options to consider. Mayo Clinic doctors will work with you to review all of your treatment options and choose the treatment that best suits your needs and goals. The treatments options offered to women with ovarian cancer include chemotherapy and various surgical procedures that range from minimally invasive surgery to extensive exploratory surgery to seek out and remove all traces of cancer in the abdomen. In some cases, radiation therapy may be used.
• The latest treatments. Mayo Clinic gives women with ovarian cancer access to the latest in cancer treatment. For example, Mayo Clinic surgeons use fertility-sparing surgery, minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery in select cases, when appropriate.
• Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, which recognizes scientific excellence and a multidisciplinary approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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