Ovarian Cancer - Causes

Symptoms

Ovarian cancer used to be considered a "silent killer." Symptoms were thought to appear only when the cancer was in an advanced stage. Now, doctors believe that even early-stage ovarian cancer can produce symptoms.

See your doctor if you have the following symptoms on a daily basis for more than a few weeks:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

Ovarian cancer grows quickly and can progress from early to advanced stages within a year. Paying attention to symptoms can help improve a woman's chances of being diagnosed and treated promptly. Detecting cancer while it is still in its earliest stages may help improve prognosis.

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It should be understood, however, that these symptoms commonly occur and are not overly specific for ovarian cancer. While prompt follow-up with your doctor is important when one or more of these are present, there are many other explanations for these symptoms besides ovarian cancer.

Other symptoms are also sometimes associated with ovarian cancer. These symptoms include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain during intercourse, constipation, and menstrual irregularities. However, these symptoms are not as useful in diagnosing ovarian cancer, because they are also commonly experienced by women who do not have cancer.

Based on the symptoms and physical examination, the doctor may order pelvic imaging tests or blood tests. If these tests reveal signs of cancer, patients should be referred to a gynecologic oncologist who specializes in female reproductive system cancers.

Review Date: 11/04/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).