Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a rare subtype of ovarian cancer. When its cells are looked at under a microscope, they appear transparent — hence the "clear cell" name. It tends to be diagnosed at a younger age than other ovarian cancers, with an average diagnosis age of 55.
It affects different groups at different Show Full Answer
Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a rare subtype of ovarian cancer. When its cells are looked at under a microscope, they appear transparent — hence the "clear cell" name. It tends to be diagnosed at a younger age than other ovarian cancers, with an average diagnosis age of 55.
It affects different groups at different rates:
- 11.1% of epithelial ovarian cancers in Asian women
- 4.8% in white women
- 3.1% in Black women Symptoms of OCCC can include:
- Abdominal bloating or swelling
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue or nausea
One important caution — OCCC can increase the risk of blood clots, so it's worth discussing this with your care team. Treatment usually begins with surgery, which may involve removing the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, or lymph nodes depending on the stage.
Chemotherapy is commonly used, though OCCC can sometimes be resistant to standard platinum-based drugs. Avastin (bevacizumab) may be recommended alongside chemotherapy. Clinical trials are also exploring new targeted therapies specifically for OCCC. Prognosis is largely influenced by the stage at diagnosis. The good news is that OCCC is often caught early — between 57% and 81% of cases are found at stage 1 or 2.
Five-year survival rates by stage:
- Stage 1: ~84.6%
- Stage 2: ~66.1%
- Stage 3: ~31.5%
- Stage 4: ~12.5%
Every situation is unique, so speaking with your care team about your specific outlook is always the best step.
August 3
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