What are ovarian SCSTs?

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. Women have two ovaries located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.

A cancerous (malignant) tumor is a group of cells that grow and multiply quickly. It can invade and destroy nearby body tissue. It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
 

Ovarian cancer is the 7th most common cancer among women, and the 8th cause of death from cancer in women.

Its high mortality is due to the fact that diagnosis often occurs at an advanced stage of the tumor. Hence, prognosis is poor. Hence the importance of accurate and early diagnosis.

Cancerous ovarian tumors are grouped by the type of cells where the cancer begins:
 
  • Epithelial ovarian cancer
  • Germ Cell tumors (nonepithelial ovarian tumors)
  • Stromal tumors (nonepithelial ovarian tumors)

Survival rate after 5 years of cancer diagnosis
Ovarian cancer 49.1%
Ovarian tumors
Epithelial tumors 90%
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The female reproductive system

Source: Canadian Cancer Society
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The ovary

Source: Canadian Cancer Society

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. Women have two ovaries located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.

A cancerous (malignant) tumor is a group of cells that grow and multiply quickly. It can invade and destroy nearby body tissue. It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
 

Ovarian cancer is the 7th most common cancer among women, and the 8th cause of death from cancer in women.

Its high mortality is due to the fact that diagnosis often occurs at an advanced stage of the tumor. Hence, prognosis is poor. Hence the importance of accurate and early diagnosis.

8751c7d0 c9ec 11ea 8e8b 0242df4d59be en

The female reproductive system

Source: Canadian Cancer Society

Cancerous ovarian tumors are grouped by the type of cells where the cancer begins:
 
  • Epithelial ovarian cancer
  • Germ Cell tumors (nonepithelial ovarian tumors)
  • Stromal tumors (nonepithelial ovarian tumors)

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The ovary

Source: Canadian Cancer Society
Survival rate after 5 years of cancer diagnosis
Ovarian cancer 49.1%
Ovarian tumors
Epithelial tumors 90%

What are the stages of ovarian cancer?

STAGE 1

The tumour is only in 1 ovary or both ovaries.

STAGE 2

The cancer involves 1 ovary or both ovaries and has grown into the surrounding pelvic organs.

STAGE 3

The cancer involves 1 or both ovaries or it started in the peritoneum. The cancer has spread to areas outside the pelvis.

STAGE 4

The cancer has spread to other parts of the body (called distant metastasis) outside the abdomen and pelvis.

What are sex cord-stromal tumors?

Ovarian Sex Cord-Stromal tumors (SCSTs) are a rare group of benign and malignant tumors. These tumors develop from the sex cord cells, stromal cells, or both. The stroma and the sex cords are tissues that support the ovary.

SCSTs usually occur in the first two decades of life, affecting adolescents and young women, and can have a late recurrence.

The most common malignant SCST is the adult Granulosa Cell Tumor. This subtype has a peak incidence between 50 and 55 years of age.

To date, surgery is the most effective therapeutic approach for this kind of tumor.

 

What are sex cord-stromal tumors?

Ovarian Sex Cord-Stromal tumors (SCSTs) are a rare group of benign and malignant tumors. These tumors develop from the sex cord cells, stromal cells, or both. The stroma and the sex cords are tissues that support the ovary.

SCSTs usually occur in the first two decades of life, affecting adolescents and young women, and can have a late recurrence.

The most common malignant SCST is the adult Granulosa Cell Tumor. This subtype has a peak incidence between 50 and 55 years of age.

To date, surgery is the most effective therapeutic approach for this kind of tumor.

 

1 per 500,000 women are affected by a malignant SCST

50 years is the average age at diagnosis

5% of ovarian malignancies are SCSTs (in 15-24 years old women)

75% of SCSTs are Granulosa Cell Tumor type

Symptoms

  • Abdominal pain or pressure
  • Pelvic pain or pressure
  • Urinary symptoms (increased urgency or frequency)
  • Bloating or an increase in the abdomen size
  • Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly
  • Menstrual changes
  • Hirsutism (excessive body hair growth)

Diagnostic

  • Ultrasound
  • Blood tests
  • CT scan
  • PET scan
  • Chest x-ray

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