What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on April 23, 2025
00:00
00:00

The early symptoms of ovarian cancer are not severe or common clinically. Some patients may experience abdominal distension and pain. Some may have menstrual irregularities, such as prolonged or shortened menstrual cycles, increased menstrual flow, or irregular bleeding outside of menstruation. Additionally, a small number of patients may experience pelvic pain due to local tumor compression caused by ovarian cancer. This pain occasionally radiates to the perineal area and is generally mild, rarely affecting the patient's quality of life. Furthermore, a minor proportion of ovarian cancer patients, particularly those with tumors having endocrine functions, may exhibit symptoms associated with paraneoplastic syndromes.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
39sec home-news-image

How many years can one live with ovarian cancer?

The survival period of ovarian cancer patients is influenced by various factors including the specific stage of the cancer, whether there is residual tumor after surgery, the size of any residual tumor, the pathological type of the cancer, the presence of high-risk factors for recurrence such as vascular tumor thrombus, neural invasion, lymph node metastasis, etc., as well as the patient's age, overall condition, the presence of severe comorbidities, and the patient's response and sensitivity to treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Survival periods vary due to differences in stages and treatment sensitivities, meaning it cannot be generalized; there is significant individual variation in survival outcomes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Xia
Oncology
53sec home-news-image

What to eat for difficulty in defecation due to ovarian cancer?

If the difficulty in defecation is due to ovarian cancer involving the rectum or other parts, we can apply anti-tumor treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy to control the condition and facilitate defecation. If the issue is caused by painkillers or the patient's inherent constipation, diet is crucial. The diet must include an adequate amount of fiber, more vegetables, and fruits. Avoid overly refined staple foods and include more whole grains. Drinking a glass of saltwater or honey water on an empty stomach in the morning, combined with appropriate waist and abdominal massage, can enhance the effect of facilitating bowel movements. If these measures are still ineffective, laxatives such as sodium docupate or lactulose may be used, along with some traditional Chinese medicines.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
1min 10sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of ovarian cancer

The early clinical symptoms of ovarian cancer primarily include the following aspects: 1. Discomfort and dull pain in the lower abdomen, with some patients experiencing a sensation of heaviness in the pelvis. Alongside this, patients may also experience poor appetite, nausea, belching, and a feeling of bloating in the stomach. 2. A sensation of abdominal fullness is a clinical manifestation that can appear early in ovarian cancer patients, often caused by cancerous ascites due to the disease. 3. In very few cases, early-stage ovarian cancer patients may feel a mass in the abdomen, typically in leaner patients. 4. Some early-stage patients may experience mild abdominal pain, which generally occurs intermittently and can resolve on its own without the need for medication. 5. Patients may exhibit menstrual irregularities and some endocrine symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
51sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Some early symptoms of ovarian cancer patients include a lump in the abdomen that can be felt during gynecological examination or by the patients themselves. In advanced ovarian cancer, as the tumor progressively enlarges, there may be symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Moreover, the tumor may compress other organs in the pelvic cavity, causing symptoms such as a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen or even constipation. Additionally, many patients with ovarian cancer may develop significant ascites, which can also cause abdominal distension, decreased appetite, and even nausea and vomiting, along with other gastrointestinal symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
45sec home-news-image

Is ovarian cancer hereditary?

The onset of ovarian cancer may be somewhat related to family history or genetic factors. Therefore, patients with a family history of ovarian cancer may have a higher risk of developing the disease compared to the general population. However, this doesn't mean that a patient with ovarian cancer will definitely pass the condition to their offspring; it merely indicates a certain level of heredity. Furthermore, for those with a family history of breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer, it is crucial for their descendants to undergo enhanced screenings for ovarian cancer and these diseases, as their risk of developing these conditions may be higher than that of the average person.