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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Symptoms of ovarian cancer are not specific to the disease, and they often mimic those of many other more-common conditions, including digestive and bladder problems.
When ovarian cancer symptoms are present, they tend to be persistent and worsen with time. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
- Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
- Pelvic discomfort or pain
- Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
- Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
- Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
- Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
- Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist
- A persistent lack of energy
- Low back pain
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.
If you have a family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer, talk to your doctor about your risk of ovarian cancer. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a genetic counselor to discuss testing for certain gene mutations that increase your risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
- Armstrong D. Ovaries and fallopian tubes. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2007:1827.
- Ovarian cancer including fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/ovarian.pdf. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- What you need to know about ovarian cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/ovary/allpages. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Schorge JO, et al. Epithelial ovarian cancer. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=514. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
- Schorge JO, et al. Ovarian germ cell and sex cord-stromal tumors. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=514. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
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