26-08-2013 | Gynecologic cancers | Book chapter | Article
1. Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Hebert Alberto Vargas, MD, Pier Luigi Di Paolo, MD, Asim Afaq, MD, Oguz Akin, MD
Publisher: Springer New York
Abstract
The ovaries are paired pelvic organs typically found below the bifurcation of the common iliac vessels lateral to the uterus. They are responsible for hormone secretion and the production of female reproductive cells. Histologically, the ovaries are composed of follicles embedded in a mesh of stroma formed of connective tissue and spindle cells and covered by a layer of surface epithelium. Abnormal proliferation of any of the tissue types can result in both benign and malignant ovarian tumors.