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Less common ovarian cancers

If you have a less common type of ovarian cancer, it can feel lonely. Knowing your exact type matters, because the plan can be quite different, and specialist teams and support groups can help.

ℹ️ General information to help you and your loved ones talk with your care team, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.

The quick guide

What it means: NCCN groups several rarer types separately: carcinosarcoma, clear cell, mucinous, low-grade serous, low-grade endometrioid, borderline (low malignant potential) tumors, germ cell tumors and sex cord-stromal tumors.

How it's found: A pathologist identifies the type from surgery or biopsy tissue; a second opinion from a gynecologic pathologist is common.

How common it is: Together these make up a minority of ovarian cancers; germ cell and stromal tumors are rare and more often affect younger people.

How treatment works

🌱 Early-stage

  • Surgery is central; fertility-sparing surgery may be possible for some early or younger patients.
  • Low-grade serous and endometrioid tumors may be treated with hormone therapy.
  • Germ cell tumors often respond very well to chemo (such as BEP).
  • Borderline tumors are often treated with surgery alone.

🔁 Advanced or metastatic

  • Options depend on the type: platinum chemo, hormone therapy, targeted drugs for low-grade serous (such as MEK inhibitors), and clinical trials.

Approvals depend on stage and prior treatment. Your care team will decide what fits you.

Drug guides

Biomarker tests that matter

Side effects you may notice

❓ Questions you and your loved ones can ask

Back to Ovarian cancer overview. Other types: Common ovarian cancers (high-grade serous and endometrioid).

Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write

Not medical advice. This page is general information to help you talk with your care team. It can't replace advice from your doctor or nurse. If you have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher during treatment, or any symptom that worries you, call your care team now. In an emergency, call 911.

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