Ovarian Cancer Dictionary

laparoscope: The doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube (a laparoscope) through a small incision in the abdomen. Laparoscopy may be used to remove a small, benign cyst or an early ovarian cancer. It may also be used to learn whether cancer has spread.

laparotomy: A surgical procedure performed under general anesthetic. A small incision is made in the abdomen, through which the surgeon can examine the ovaries, the uterus and the pelvic cavity. During the operation, abnormal growths may be removed, or samples of tissue taken for biopsy testing.

local therapy: Surgery and radiation therapy are local therapies. They remove or destroy ovarian cancer in the pelvis. When ovarian cancer has spread to other parts of the body, local therapy may be used to control the disease in those specific areas.

metastasis and secondary tumors: Metastasis (Greek: change of the state, plural: metastases), sometimes abbreviated mets, is the spread of cancer from its primary site to other places in the body (e.g., brain, liver).

mucinous carcinomas: Mucinous cells produce a thick fluid called mucus. Cancers developing from ovarian mucinous cells are rare, comprising only one percent of epithelial tumors. However, when a mucinous carcinoma does develop, the growth is malignant 80 percent of the time. Mucinous growths are most common among women from 30 to 60 years of age.

ovarian cancer staging: The various stages of ovarian cancer. Stage I - limited to one or both ovaries. IA - involves one ovary; capsule intact; no tumor on ovarian surface; no malignant cells in ascites or peritoneal washings. IB - involves both ovaries; capsule intact; no tumor on ovarian surface; negative washings. IC - tumor limited to ovaries with any of the following: capsule ruptured, tumor on ovarian surface, positive washings. Stage II - pelvic extension or implants. IIA - extension or implants onto uterus or fallopian tube; negative washings. IIB - extension or implants onto other pelvic structures; negative washings. IIC - pelvic extension or implants with positive peritoneal washings. Stage III - microscopic peritoneal implants outside of the pelvis; or limited to the pelvis with extension to the small bowel or omentum. IIIA - microscopic peritoneal metastases beyond pelvis. IIIB - macroscopic peritoneal metastases beyond pelvis less than 2 cm in size. IIIC - peritoneal metastases beyond pelvis > 2 cm or lymph node metastases. Stage IV - distant metastases--in the liver, or outside the peritoneal cavity.

ovarian cysts: An ovarian cyst is a collection of fluid inside an ovary.

ovary: An ovary is an egg-producing reproductive organ found in female organisms. It is often found in pairs as part of the vertebrate female reproductive system.