Epithelial ovarian cancer represents 80% of all ovarian cancer. Due to its lack of symptoms, this disease is more often detected or diagnosed at an advanced stage (called stage III or IV) when the cancer has already spread into the body. Tumors present in secondary sites are called metastases. In addition, 30% of patients will develop ascites, a inflammatory abdominal liquid that often contain ovarian tumors.
Statistics and Survival Rates
Though ovarian Cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancer, it is the most gynecologic deadly cancer in women. In United States, ovarian cancer killed 15,520 women in 2007 and 21,000 deaths are predicted for 2008 while the number of new cases is around 21,600/year. In average the survival rate is below 50%. (source American Cancer Society).
