Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is the second most common malignancy of the female reproductive system. Typically, patients are affected at an advanced age.
Currently no clear cause of the cancer is known.
High age, mutation in the gene BRCA-1 and BRCA-2, environmental influences, dietary habits, infertility and childlessness are known risk factors for their development. On the other hand, risk factors include early pregnancies, many births and many years of taking the hormonal contraception pill.
The earlier the carcinoma is detected, the more promising the therapy. Often, the disease is recognized very late, since sufferers only suffer from symptoms at an advanced stage. The first symptoms are mostly nonspecific.