Ovarian Cancer Dictionary

borderline ovarian cancers: Borderline ovarian tumors are a subset of epithelial ovarian tumors that have a very favorable prognosis. Borderline ovarian cancers may be composed of serous, clear cell, endometrioid or mucinous material, but spread slowly and have a high cure rate. Ten to 15 percent of epithelial cases are borderline, and they develop most often in women between the ages of 30 and 80. In most cases, surgical removal is enough to cure a borderline growth.

brenner tumor: Uncommon tumors that are part of the surface epithelial-stromal tumor group of ovarian neoplasms. Brenner tumors are rare epithelial growths, present in only two to five percent of cases. They are usually benign.

clear cell carcinoma: Part of the surface epithelial-stromal tumor group of ovarian neoplasms. Six percent of epithelial ovarian cancers are clear cell carcinomas. Almost all are malignant, and 40 percent of cases have been linked to endometriosis. Women between the ages of 40 and 80 are most at risk of clear cell carcinoma.

Doppler sonography: Doppler ultrasound measures the flow of blood through the body. By combining transvaginal sonography with Doppler ultrasound, researchers are hoping to develop an ultrasound test that is more sensitive and can therefore detect ovarian cancer.

dysgerminoma: A type of germ cell tumor; it usually is malignant and usually occurs in the ovary.

endometrioid tumors: Endometrioid tumors are part of the surface epithelial tumor group of ovarian neoplasms Epithelial tumors of endometrioid origin comprise approximately 20 percent of all cases. Eight percent are malignant.

endometrium: The inner membrane of the uterus.