Ovarian cancer: An overview of classification, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment

Kathole, Khushi S. and Hatwar, Pooja R. and Bakal, Ravindra L. (2025) Ovarian cancer: An overview of classification, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 31 (3). 064-072. ISSN 2581-3250

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a complex and aggressive gynecological malignancy with poor prognosis, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to non-specific symptoms and lack of effective screening methods. The disease's heterogeneity and molecular characteristics pose significant challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and management. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of ovarian cancer, its classification, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. OC is classified into several subtypes, including epithelial, mesenchymal, and germ cell tumors, each with distinct genetic markers and molecular characteristics. Advanced age, obesity, nulliparity, and family predisposition are significant risk factors. Diagnosis involves medical history evaluation, gynecological examination, serum CA-125 quantification, imaging tests, and histopathological examination. Treatment typically involves surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, with platinum-based chemotherapy being the standard of care. However, chemotherapeutic drug resistance remains a significant challenge. Immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, has shown promise in treating ovarian cancer.