What should you know about late stage ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer can involve the lining of the abdomen, nearby organs, or more distant sites. Abdominal swelling, pelvic discomfort, early fullness, nausea, bowel changes, urinary pressure, tiredness, and weight change may occur. Fluid in the abdomen can make breathing or eating harder. Tests such as pelvic ultrasound, scans, and tissue review help the team understand the extent of disease. The treatment plan also depends on previous therapy, fitness for surgery, and tumour biology.

The team may discuss chemotherapy to shrink or control cancer, ovarian cancer debulking surgery when removing visible disease is feasible, or other procedures for a specific problem. Genomic tumour profiling and BRCA genetic testing may provide information relevant to treatment choices and family discussions. Oophorectomy may be part of an operation in selected situations. Palliative care can help with pain, nausea, appetite, fatigue, sleep, emotional strain, and practical planning while cancer treatment continues or changes.

Call the cancer team promptly for increasing abdominal swelling, repeated vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, inability to drink, fever, or new breathlessness. These changes may signal dehydration, infection, fluid build-up, or bowel blockage and need assessment. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or sudden severe pain.

Where has the cancer spread, and what symptoms could that cause? Is surgery an option, and what is its aim? Would genomic tumour profiling or BRCA testing affect treatment? How will side effects be managed? Who should we call outside clinic hours?