Ovarian Cancer

Prognosis

Because ovarian cancer is not usually diagnosed until it is in an advanced stage, it is the most deadly of all the female cancers of the reproductive organs. As of 2000, only 46% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will survive past five years. If ovarian cancer is diagnosed before it has spread to other organs, more than 90% of the patients will survive five years or more. Unfortunately, only 24% of all cancers are found at this early stage.

As of 2001, there appears to be no difference in how a woman with ovarian cancer will do, whether or not she has a BRCA alteration. Because unaffected people in a family with a BRCA alteration may be in high-risk screening programs, the hope is that they may be able to have any of their cancers detected earlier, giving a better prognosis.

BOOKS

Dollinger, Malin. Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy. Somerville House Books Limited, 1994.

Morra, Marion E. Choices. Avon Books, 1994.

Murphy, Gerald P. Informed Decisions: The Complete Book of Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment and Recovery. American Cancer Society, 1997.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Cancer Society. 1599 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. (800) 227-2345. <http://www.cancer.org>.

Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE). 934 North University Drive, PMB #213, Coral Springs, FL 33071. (954) 255-8732. info@facingourrisk.org. <http://www.facingourrisk.org>.

Gilda's Club. 195 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10014. (212) 647-9700. Fax: (212) 647-1151. <http://www.gildasclub.org>.

Gynecologic Cancer Foundation. 401 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. (800) 444-4441.

National Cancer Institute. Office of Communications, 31 Center Dr. MSC 2580, Bldg. 1 Room 10A16, Bethesda, MD 20892-2580. (800) 422-6237. <http://www.nci.nih.gov>.

WEBSITES

CancerNet. <http://www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov>.

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. <http://www.ovarian.org>.

"Ovarian Cancer." CancerNet. <http://www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov/Cancer_Types/Ovarian_Cancer.shtml>.

Deepti Babu, MS

Content licensed from:

Author Info: Deepti Babu MS, The Gale Group Inc., Gale, Detroit, Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders Part I, 2002

This feature is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the care and information received from your healthcare provider. Please consult a healthcare professional with any health concerns you may have.