What causes ovarian tumors?
Tumors can form in the ovaries, just as they form in other parts of the body. If tumors are non-cancerous, they are said to be benign. If they are cancerous, they are called malignant. There are three types of ovarian tumors: • Epithelial cell tumors start from the cells on the surface of the ovaries. These are the most common type of ovarian tumors. • Germ cell tumors start in the cells that produce the eggs. They can either be benign or cancerous. Most are benign. • Stromal tumors originate in the cells that produce female hormones. Doctors aren’t sure what causes ovarian cancer.