What Is Usually the First Sign of Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a cancer of the ovaries caused by an abnormal growth of cells. Only about 20% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage because it often doesn't have early symptoms or warning signs. If there are any symptoms early on, they may include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating, feeling full quickly, and urinary problems.
Ovarian cancer is a cancer of the ovaries caused by an abnormal growth of cells. Only about 20% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage because it often doesn't have early symptoms or warning signs. If there are any symptoms early on, they may include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating, feeling full quickly, and urinary problems.

Ovarian cancer occurs when cells in the ovaries, the female reproductive glands, become abnormal and grow out of control. 

Only about 20% of cases of ovarian cancer are found at an early stage.

The most common symptoms that may be some of the first signs of ovarian cancer include:

  • Bloating/abdominal distension 
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
  • Urinary symptoms such as urgency or frequency 

Other symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

What Causes Ovarian Cancer?

The cause of most ovarian cancers is unknown.

Risk factors that may make a woman more likely to develop ovarian cancer include:

  • Inherited or acquired genetic mutations
  • Older age: most cases develop after menopause
  • A family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer
  • Having breast cancer
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Having children later or never carrying a pregnancy to term
  • Hormone therapy taken after menopause
  • Having a family cancer syndrome
    • Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC): mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
    • Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
    • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
    • MUTYH-associated polyposis
  • Fertility treatments
  • Smoking

How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?

Ovarian cancer is diagnosed with a medical history and pelvic examination. 

Testing to confirm a diagnosis of ovarian cancer or to rule out another condition may include: 

  • Imaging tests:
  • Biopsy
    • Blood tests
    • CA-125 test
    • Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
    • Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
    • Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
    • Inhibin 
    • Estrogen and testosterone 

Genetic counseling and genetic testing for certain inherited gene changes may be recommended for women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer.

What Is the Treatment for Ovarian Cancer?

Treatment for ovarian cancer may include one or more of the following: 

  • Surgery to remove the cancerous growth (most common method of both diagnosis and therapy)
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation  
  • Complementary therapies to treat symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and nausea
  • Clinical trials
References
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/about.html