Ovarian cancer

Need to know

• Symptoms of ovarian cancer icon plus

  Ovarian cancer can often be difficult to recognise. Symptoms can be similar to more common benign (non-cancerous) conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  
  The main symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
  

  • swollen abdomen or bloating
  • feeling full quickly when eating or loss of appetite
  • need to urinate more frequently or more urgently
  • pain or discomfort in your abdomen or back

  
  You may also have:
  

  • unexplained weight loss or tiredness
  • changes in your bowel habits, such as constipation
  • indigestion or nausea
  • pain during sex

  
  If you’re concerned by any symptoms, then it’s important to see your GP or consultant.

• Diagnosis icon plus

  Tests to help diagnose ovarian cancer include:
  

  • Pelvic examination. Your GP or consultant will feel if your uterus and ovaries are normal.
  • Pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound. A scan of your abdomen and pelvis to provide images of your ovaries.
  • CT scan. A scan if your consultant would like to see your ovaries more clearly.
  • Blood tests. For your overall health, and to detect the protein CA125, a marker that can indicate some ovarian cancers.
  • Needle biopsy. A fine needle is used to take a sample of ovary cells to be tested.
  • Laparoscopy. A small cut is made in the abdomen and a thin tube with a camera is inserted to examine your ovaries.

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  The main treatments for ovarian cancer are:
  

  • Surgery. In early stages, you may have one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. If your cancer is more extensive, you may also have a hysterectomy to remove your womb, nearby lymph nodes and some surrounding abdominal tissue.
  • Chemotherapy. This is a drug treatment given after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. In advanced stages, it may be used before surgery to help reduce the cancer.

  
  Targeted therapy may be used if your cancer returns after initial treatment. These are treatments that are designed to target specific parts of cancer cells to slow down the cancer growth.