Low-grade serous ovarian cancer: coping with a rare cancer

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in or near the ovaries, a pair of glands located in the female reproductive system, which form eggs and produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Like other cancers, ovarian cancer begins when normal cells undergo mutations and form cancerous cells that grow in an uncontrolled way.

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) is a rare subtype of ovarian cancer. It’s estimated that 5 to 10 percent of all ovarian cancers are LGSOC. It is associated with a precancerous condition called borderline tumors.

Compared to more common subtypes of ovarian cancer, LGSOC typically occurs at younger ages. While it tends to grow more slowly than other types of ovarian cancers, it can spread, and it’s less likely to respond to chemotherapy. It requires a different approach to treatment than other types of ovarian cancer.

Being diagnosed with any cancer is not easy. Being diagnosed with a rare cancer often comes with additional challenges, such as finding information about the diagnosis and finding healthcare providers with experience treating this type of cancer.

Below are some tips for people with LGSOC and caregivers.

Learn as much as you can about your diagnosis

People diagnosed with cancer are encouraged to learn as much as they can about their diagnosis. Because each cancer is different, a healthcare team will always be your best source of information about your specific diagnosis.

If you are seeking information, a good place to start is by asking your healthcare team where you can learn more. Having a good understanding of the cancer will better prepare you for conversations with a healthcare team, including conversations about treatment options.

Because LGSOC is rare, finding information can be challenging. Websites for the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute do not have dedicated pages for LGSOC. A good source of specific information about LGSOC is the website of the Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Initiative. The site includes the Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Guide, a comprehensive source of information about this type of cancer, treatment, tips for appointments, and answers to many questions about LGSOC.

Patient education is also an important part of living with LGSOC because treatment for this type of cancer is evolving. A new treatment for LGSOC was approved in the spring of 2025. This treatment is a combination of two targeted therapies, and it is approved for the treatment of recurrent LGSOC with a type of genetic mutation called a KRAS mutation.

Additional therapies are under development and may be available through clinical trials.

Connect with other people with ovarian cancer

The Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer initiative also includes information on peer support groups, where people with LGSOC and loved ones of people with LGSOC can connect with others affected by this condition. These support groups connect online.

You may also want to look into support groups that meet in person. Because LGSOC is rare, it will be difficult to find a support group specific to LGSOC, but it’s worth considering a support group for ovarian cancer, cancers of the female reproductive system, or general cancer support groups. These communities can be a valuable source of support and information. Local hospitals and cancer centers may be able to connect you with a support group in your area.

Find the right healthcare provider

A major challenge of rare conditions is finding healthcare providers with experience treating those conditions. Not every oncologist or healthcare team will have experience treating this type of cancer, and treatment for LGSOC is different from other types of ovarian cancer. Having a healthcare provider who understands these differences is critical to getting the appropriate care.

Finding the right healthcare provider may involve a combination of working with your current healthcare team, searching online directories, and contacting providers to ask about their experience with LGSOC.

• Oncologists and oncology social workers you are already in contact with may be able to recommend cancer care centers or specialists with the experience you are looking for.
• The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance maintains a directory of specialists and providers.
• Your health insurance provider is another place to search for specialists and providers.

You may need to contact providers to find out about their experience with LGSOC. These questions may be helpful when talking to a prospective healthcare provider:

• How many patients with LGSOC have you treated?
• How many LGSOC patients do you treat in a year?
• What diagnostic tests do you recommend? For example, genetic testing, which can help with treatment choice.
• What are your choices for first-line therapies? For second-line therapies? How much experience do you have with these therapies?
• What is new in the treatment of LGSOC?

It’s important to remember that treatment for ovarian cancer is individualized and should take into account your age, symptoms, medical history, and if you want to preserve fertility during treatment. Your needs and priorities are also something to think about, as this is important information to bring to your healthcare team.