What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer ?
The combination of three symptoms is present in 43% of women with ovarian cancer, compared to 10% of those with benign tumors and 8% of healthy women.
The three symptoms are :
- Abdominal bloating accompanied by an increase in waist circumference
- Urgent need to urinate or dysuria
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
A study conducted in 2001 showed that women with ovarian cancer experienced these symptoms at least 20 to 30 times per month. In comparison, women with benign tumors or healthy women only had these symptoms 2 to 3 times per month.
In practice, one should not ignore and should consult a gynecologist when certain common symptoms associated with ovarian cancer appear after age 50, such as (source: arcagy.org) :
- A persistent and unusual feeling of bloating or swelling in the abdomen
- A recent change in bowel movements, such as the onset of constipation without apparent reason, without rectal bleeding
- The recent appearance of mild, unusual lower abdominal or back pain
- A frequent need to urinate
- Unusual fatigue
(source arcagy.org)
When the cancer reaches a size of 10 to 12 cm, more obvious signs may appear :
- Abdominal discomfort
- Lower abdominal or abdominal pain
- A progressive increase in abdominal volume due to a mass and/or the presence of fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites)
- Abnormal bleeding and/or vaginal discharge
- Symptoms of compression in the abdomen or lower abdomen: digestive issues, partial blockage of the passage of gas and stool (subocclusion), false urges, urgent need to urinate, frequent urination (pollakiuria)
- Symptoms of venous compression: swelling of one lower limb, the formation of a blood clot in a vein (phlebitis), pain along the sciatic nerve (sciatica)
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea) related to fluid accumulation in the lungs (pleural effusion)
- Chest pain
- A general deterioration in health.
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Article updated on Jan 9, 2025
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