According to Cancer Research UK, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women in the UK. Symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague, especially in the early stages. However, awareness of symptoms and risk factors can contribute to an early diagnosis and a more successful outcome.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
The ovaries are a pair of female reproductive organs which release eggs and produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Fluid-filled sacs known as cysts can form on the ovaries, but they are not usually cancerous and often go away on their own. However, sometimes cancerous tumours appear on the ovaries, which may spread to other parts of the body such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, lymph nodes, liver or lungs.
It is not known why some women have ovarian cancer. Here are some factors which may increase the risk:
- being over 55
- a previous diagnosis of cancer, such as breast, uterus or colon cancer
- a family history of ovarian cancer or other cancers
- the absence of biological children
- using hormone replacement therapy for 10 years or more
Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean a woman will get ovarian cancer. Similarly, someone with ovarian cancer may have none of these risk factors.
Stages of Ovarian Cancer
There are different stages of ovarian cancer. Each stage defines the extent to which the cancer cells have spread, and helps to determine the most suitable treatment.
- Stage I: Cancer cells are contained within one or both of the ovaries, and may also be found on the surface of an ovary or in abdominal fluid.
- Stage II: Cancer cells have spread to nearby tissues or organs in the pelvic region, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder or rectum. Cancer cells may be found in abdominal fluid.
- Stage III: Cancer cells have spread beyond the pelvic region into the abdomen, or they may be found in the lymph nodes or on the surface of the liver.
- Stage IV: Cancer cells have spread beyond the abdominal region, and may be found inside other organs such as the liver or lungs.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Unfortunately many cases of ovarian cancer are not detected until the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries; this is when symptoms become more obvious. In the early stages of ovarian cancer, symptoms can be quite ambiguous, or there may be no symptoms at all.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
- feeling full quickly when eating
- swelling and bloating of the abdomen
- pressure or pain in the abdominal region
- abnormal bleeding
- back or leg pain
- the need to urinate frequently or urgently
- constipation or diarrhoea
- indigestion
- loss of appetite
- nausea, vomiting or indigestion
- frequent tiredness
- shortness of breath
- pressure or pain in the chest area
If a woman has some of these symptoms, or is worried she may be at higher risk of ovarian cancer, she should see a doctor. More often than not, symptoms such as these will be due to something other than ovarian cancer. However, the ambiguity of symptoms associated with ovarian cancer can make this disease difficult to diagnose. It is important for a woman to keep pursuing medical opinion if she remains convinced something is wrong.
For more information, readers may be interested in Cancer Terms and Definitions and What is Cancer?
Sources:
Cancer Research UK. "Ovarian Cancer" (Accessed May 22nd 2010).
Macmillan Cancer Support. "Ovarian Cancer" (Accessed May 22nd 2010).
MedicineNet.com. "Ovarian Cancer (Cancer of the Ovaries)" (Accessed 22nd May 2010).
Sharon Kirby - Sharon is a freelance health writer and contributes to various print and online publications. Writing credits include Nursing Times, Good ...
