Early symptoms of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer may cause symptoms that are vague at first. A person may notice increasing abdominal size, pressure in the pelvis, back discomfort, indigestion, or needing to pass urine more often. Ovarian cancer commonly presents with ongoing bloating or abdominal and pelvic symptoms, but these symptoms also occur with non-cancerous conditions.

The pattern matters: symptoms that are new, persistent, or becoming more frequent deserve assessment. A pelvic examination and imaging can help identify an ovarian or pelvic change, while blood tests and other investigations may be added according to the findings.

Arrange a medical appointment if symptoms continue or interfere with eating, sleep, or daily activities. Write down when they began, how often they occur, any relation to meals or menstrual cycles, and whether weight, appetite, or bowel habits have changed.

Your clinician may discuss a pelvic ultrasound and referral to a specialist. If testing identifies cancer, treatment is tailored to the tumour type and extent and may involve surgery, chemotherapy, or other medicines. Genetic testing can be relevant when family history or tumour features suggest it.

Seek urgent care for sudden severe pelvic pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen or rigid abdomen, fainting, heavy vaginal bleeding, or inability to pass urine or stool. These symptoms can reflect a complication such as twisting of an ovarian mass or bowel obstruction and require prompt evaluation.

Ask which symptoms need investigation, whether a pelvic ultrasound is appropriate, what the examination and test results show, and whether referral is needed. If cancer is diagnosed, ask about stage, tumour testing, fertility considerations, treatment choices, and symptom support.