Endometriosis and ovarian cancer: what to know

Endometriosis is tissue resembling the womb lining growing outside the uterus. It can cause pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during sex, bowel or bladder symptoms and difficulty becoming pregnant. Ovarian cancer begins in or around an ovary and may cause persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, early fullness, urinary change or unusual bleeding. These symptoms can also arise from benign conditions.

Having endometriosis does not mean that a person has ovarian cancer. A clinician considers the pattern, persistence and change in symptoms, examination findings, age, family history and other risks before choosing tests.

Keep a symptom diary covering cycle timing, pain location, bloating, appetite, bowel habits and urinary changes. A pelvic ultrasound may assess the ovaries and pelvis. If cancer is diagnosed, genomic tumour profiling or BRCA Genetic Testing may inform selected treatment and family discussions.

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. Ovarian cancer care may involve surgery, chemotherapy or other medicines. Oophorectomy or Ovarian Cancer Debulking Surgery may be discussed in selected cases. Palliative Care can help with symptoms at any stage.

Get urgent help for sudden severe pelvic pain, fainting, a swollen painful abdomen, repeated vomiting, heavy bleeding, fever with severe pain, or breathlessness. Arrange prompt review for new persistent bloating, unexplained weight change, early fullness or a clear change from your usual endometriosis symptoms.

Ask: Which features suggest endometriosis or another cause? Do I need a pelvic ultrasound? What would make further testing necessary? How could treatment affect fertility? Should family history lead to BRCA Genetic Testing? Would symptom support or Palliative Care help?