National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)

About ovarian cancer Types of ovarian cancer

Types of ovarian cancer

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The most common type of ovarian cancer is epithelial ovarian cancer.Epithelial ovarian cancer starts on the outer covering of the ovary (the epithelium). Nine out of ten women with ovarian cancer have epithelial ovarian cancer. About 1300 women are diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer each year in Australia.

Epithelial ovarian cancer can be found in women at any age. However, it’s most common in women over 50 years of age.

Symptoms of epithelial ovarian cancer are often vague and can mimic those of other disorders. This can make ovarian cancer difficult to diagnose in its early stages.

Other types of ovarian cancer

  • Germ cell ovarian cancer starts in the egg cells within ovaries. It’s relatively uncommon and usually affects younger women or teenage girls
  • Sex-cord stromal cancer is a relatively rare ovarian cancer, starting in the cells that produce female hormones.
Last Updated on Monday, 27 July 2009 15:38  

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