Ovarian Cancer Treatment at the University of Colorado Cancer Center
The ovaries are a pair of organs in the female reproductive system, located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. They are responsible for production of the female hormones and the germ cells or eggs for reproduction. There are three types of cells in the ovary, and each can be affected by cancer:
Epithelial cells – These cells cover the ovary. Most ovarian cancers start in this covering. Ovarian epithelial cancer is the most common type of ovarian cancer, accounting for about 85 percent of all cases-about 19,000 each year.
Germ cells – These cells make eggs (ova) inside of the ovary. Germ cell ovarian cancers are rare, accounting for about 10 percent of all cases-about 2,200 each year.
Stromal cells – These cells are inside the ovary, between germ cells. They make most of the female hormones (estrogen and progesterone). Stromal cancers are very rare, accounting for only 5 percent of cases-about 1,100 each year. The cure rate depends on how far this cancer has spread when it is diagnosed.
Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer
An estimated 22,430 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the United States during 2007. Unfortunately, it is also the most lethal gynecologic cancer because there is no effective screening test and sometimes, a woman does not have symptoms until it has spread. An estimated 15,280 women will die from this cancer in the United States during 2007.
We Specialize in Ovarian Cancer
There are more than 100 different types of cancer. To ensure that we are always leading care at the cutting edge, UCCC has expert teams that each specialize in a small number of different cancer types. Because we are sub-specialized in ovarian cancer, we have treated the most common and the rarest types of cancer.
We’re the Region’s Only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
The University of Colorado Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Rocky Mountain Region-and one of only 39 in the United States.
- This designation means that we are recognized as leaders in providing outstanding cancer care and cancer-related education, and in driving new research
- No other cancer center in the region offers the expertise we do
We’re One of the Nation’s Best Cancer Centers
U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked the University of Colorado Cancer Center’s adult patient care center at University of Colorado Hospital among the best cancer programs in the nation.
- In 2007, we ranked 35th overall and among the ten best in the West
- 5280 Magazine consistently votes our cancer doctors among the best in Colorado
- We have more cancer doctors listed among Best Doctors in America than any other cancer center in the region