Supporting research and improving outcomes for patients with small cell ovarian cancer. The Small Cell Ovarian Cancer Project is a collaboration between researchers at McGill University, The Eve Appeal and Angela’s Fund.

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type (small cell) is a rare type of ovarian cancer, which mainly occurs in teenagers and young women. 

Small cell ovarian cancers make up less than 1% of all ovarian cancers diagnosed. Only around 300 cases have been reported. The average age at diagnosis is 23. The rarity of this type of cancer makes it difficult to study and there is very little evidence available showing which treatment options will work best.

There was previously no database of patients with small cell, which limited the amount of research into its diagnosis and treatment.  

This project was only possible thanks to Angela’s Fund, which was set up in memory of Angela Butcher, who died of small cell ovarian cancer in 2013 and fundraised with her family to start the first UK research into small cell ovarian cancer.

By developing a Registry and having access to patient information, we can better understand the condition. The team hopes this will act as a base for more research in the area.

At the same time, Prof Foulkes and his team have put together an international multidisciplinary consortium of clinicians and researchers with an interest in small cell who will work together, using the Registry as a foundation.