Ovarian cancer (ovarian carcinoma) is a malignant tumour on one or both ovaries. More than 1,200 women are affected by this disease every year, most of whom are over the age of 50. There are three forms of ovarian cancer, of which epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common. To begin with there are usually few symptoms, which means the disease is often only diagnosed at a late stage. Consequently, prognoses are poor.