Mayo Clinic is recognized as an international leader in the care of women who have ovarian cancer. Mayo Clinic has one of the largest ovarian cancer practices in the United States, treating more than 1,200 patients in 2006 who had a principal or secondary diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The volume of cases treated and the skills of experienced, highly trained specialists enable Mayo Clinic to provide high-quality imaging, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Mayo's Familial Cancer Program identifies patients at an increased risk of cancer and studies hereditary factors in cancer.
In addition, ongoing research at Mayo Clinic means that patients may have access to new procedures and therapeutic regimens that are not available elsewhere. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center was the first multicenter clinic in the United States to be designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center for its entire cancer program, the highest ranking given by the National Cancer Institute. The Women's Cancer Program, which is one of 12 efforts within the Cancer Center, includes a dedicated Ovarian Cancer Research Group that works to develop new treatments.
Mayo Clinic uses a wide variety of imaging techniques to detect ovarian cancer, including PET scans, CT scans and MRIs. In most cases, the results of these sophisticated studies are available within 24 to 48 hours. Read more about ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Surgery is the most common treatment for ovarian cancer. Depending on the stage of the cancer, chemotherapy is often used following surgery. In some cases, radiation therapy may be used. Read more about ovarian cancer treatment.
The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. They are located on each side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Cancer of the ovaries occurs when cells grow in an uncontrolled, abnormal manner, resulting in the creation of tumors. Ovarian cancer is diagnosed in about 23,000 women in the United States each year. About 90 percent of ovarian cancers develop in the epithelium, the thin layer of tissue covering the ovaries. In about three-quarters of patients, ovarian cancer is not detected until it has spread in the abdomen.
Read more at MayoClinic.com
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