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Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (LGSOC) and Its Symptoms

Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (LGSOC) and Its Symptoms

LGSOC is a serious disease that can be seriously misunderstood.

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (also known as LGSOC) is a rare cancer. It is distinct from the more common high-grade serous ovarian cancer (also known as HGSOC). LGSOC is likely to come back after initial treatment.

This site was created to be your go-to source for information about LGSOC. It includes a range of resources to help address a variety of needs specific to people with LGSOC.

Bookmark this site and come back often to stay up to date on LGSOC.

What is low-grade serous ovarian cancer?

Low-grade serous is an ovarian cancer that starts in the thin layer of tissue around the ovaries (also known as the epithelium).

Low-grade means that the cancer cells look a lot like normal cells. 

Serous means that the cancer started in the serous membrane, which is part of the epithelium.

  • LGSOC affects younger people–median age at diagnosis is 43-47 years and follows a bimodal distribution (20-30 years and 50-60 years)
  • LGSOC is a serious disease that is likely to be diagnosed when it has already spread outside of the ovaries
  • 80% of people treated for LGSOC will have their cancer come back

What is low-grade serous ovarian cancer?

Low-grade serous is a type of ovarian cancer that starts in the thin layer of tissue around the ovaries (also known as the epithelium).

Low-grade means that the cancer cells look a lot like normal cells. They also tend to grow and spread slowly.

Serous means that the cancer started in the serous membrane, which is part of the epithelium.

Low-grade serous is a type of ovarian cancer that starts in the thin layer of tissue around the ovaries (also known as the epithelium).

Low-grade means that the cancer cells look a lot like normal cells. They also tend to grow and spread slowly.

Serous means that the cancer started in the serous membrane, which is part of the epithelium.

  • LGSOC affects younger people–median age at diagnosis is 43-47 years and follows a bimodal distribution (20-30 years and 50-60 years)
  • LGSOC is a serious disease that is likely to be diagnosed when it has already spread outside of the ovaries
  • 80% of people treated for LGSOC will have their cancer come back

How common is a diagnosis of low-grade serous ovarian cancer?

  • Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) is a rare ovarian cancer
  • About 5% of all serous ovarian cancers are LGSOC
An older woman wearing a deep teal blouse looks intently straight into the camera while this statistic is written overhead: An estimated 1,000-2,000 new cases of LGSOC are diagnosed every year in the United States.
  • Some of the symptoms of LGSOC are similar to other cancers and other diseases, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This, combined with how rare the cancer is, may make LGSOC difficult to diagnose and not all doctors may have experience treating it.

How common is a diagnosis of low-grade serous ovarian cancer?

  • Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) is a rare ovarian cancer
  • About 5% of all serous ovarian cancers are LGSOC
An older woman wearing a deep teal blouse looks intently straight into the camera while this statistic is written overhead: An estimated 1,000-2,000 new cases of LGSOC are diagnosed every year in the United States.
  • Some of the symptoms of LGSOC are similar to other cancers and other diseases, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This, combined with how rare the cancer is, may make LGSOC difficult to diagnose and not all doctors may have experience treating it.

What are the symptoms of low-grade serous ovarian cancer?

The symptoms of LGSOC are “SERIOUS”.

Stomach bloating
Eating less because you feel full
Repeated changes to bowel movements
Intense back and pelvic pain
Ongoing for up to 2 weeks
Urgent need to urinate
Stomach pain

Some of the symptoms of LGSOC are the same as other ovarian cancers and other diseases, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).*

*This list is not exhaustive, as these are not all of the symptoms of LGSOC. Discuss any/all symptoms that you feel may be related to LGSOC with your doctor.

How is low-grade serous ovarian cancer different from high-grade serous ovarian cancer?

Both LGSOC and HGSOC are likely to come back after treatment. Other than that, they are like night and day.

LGSOC

Uncommon
About 5% of serous ovarian cancers

Affects younger people
Many people are diagnosed in their 40s but have been diagnosed as young as 14 years old

Normal-looking cells
 Cells look like non-cancer cells

Grows slowly
Cancerous cells grow slowly but persistently

Progresses slowly
Can start as benign (non-cancerous) tumors
before becoming cancerous and spreading

Less sensitive to chemotherapy
Other treatments may be required

HGSOC

Very common
About 95% of serous ovarian cancers

Affects older people
Most people are over 50 years old when diagnosed

Abnormal-looking cells
 Cells look unstructured or underdeveloped

Grows quickly
Cancerous cells grow quickly

Progresses rapidly
Spreads quickly outside of ovaries

Usually responds to chemotherapy

Responsive to chemotherapy, which can
slow/stop spread of cancer

Side by side: Cure Ovarian Cancer logo + Learn more about LGSOC

Hear from low-grade serous ovarian cancer experts and patients

Learn more about LGSOC from doctors who treat it. Listen to patients discuss their experiences with diagnosis and treatment of LGSOC.

Hear from low-grade serous ovarian cancer experts and patients

Learn more about LGSOC from doctors who treat it. Listen to patients discuss their experiences with diagnosis and treatment of LGSOC.

Talk to your doctor about LGSOC

Talk to your doctor about LGSOC

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15. Grabowski JP, Harter P, Heitz F, et al. Operability and chemotherapy responsiveness in advanced low-grade serous ovarian cancer. An analysis of the AGO Study Group metadatabase. Gynecol Oncol. 2016;140(3):457-462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2016.01.022

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