What is Ovarian Cancer?

The ovaries are made up of 3 main kinds of cells. Each type of cell can develop into a different type of tumor:

- Epithelial tumors start from the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary. Most ovarian tumors are epithelial cell tumors.

- Germ cell tumors start from the cells that produce the eggs (ova).

- Stromal tumors start from structural tissue cells that hold the ovary together and produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.