Booklet: What You Need to Know about Ovarian Cancer

Symptoms

Ovarian cancer is hard to find early. Often there are no symptoms in the early stages and, in many cases, the cancer has spread by the time it is found. The cancer may grow for some time before it causes pressure, pain, or other problems. Even when symptoms appear, they may be so vague that they are ignored.

As the tumor grows, the woman may feel swollen or bloated, or may have general discomfort in the lower abdomen. The disease may cause a loss of appetite or a feeling of fullness, even after a light meal. Other symptoms may include gas, indigestion, nausea, and weight loss. A large tumor may press on nearby organs, such as the bowel or bladder, causing diarrhea or constipation, or frequent urination. Less often, bleeding from the vagina is a symptom of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer may cause swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites). Fluid may also collect around the lungs, causing shortness of breath.

These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious conditions. Only a doctor can tell for sure.

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