Ovarian cancer (ovarian cancer) usually does not cause early symptoms. In advanced stages, the following symptoms and discomfort may occur:
- Abdominal tightness1
- Ascites (abdominal dropsy)
- Increase in the circumference of the abdomen (abdominal circumference increase).
- Loss of appetite*
- Unintentional weight loss1
- Cachexia
- Meteorism2 (bloated abdomen)
- Micturition discomfort (discomfort during urination); increase in micturition frequency (frequency of bladder emptying).
- Resistance in the lower abdomen
- Abdominal pain1 + 2 (abdominal pain)
- Stool changes such as constipation (constipation).
- Vaginal bleeding (bleeding from the vagina); also postmenopausal bleeding1
- Rectal bleeding1 (bleeding from the rectum).
- Virilization symptoms (masculinization).
- Feeling of fullness, nausea
- Hemoglobin (blood pigment) < 110 g/l1
1Independent and age-adjusted risk factors2Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms (see below).
Warning signs (red flags)
- In approximately 85% of ovarian cancer patients, typical irritable bowel syndrome symptoms occur newly and as the first symptom before cancer diagnosis! (Approximately 6 months before diagnosis).
- Further investigation should be initiated if the following symptoms occur repeatedly and persistently, especially in women over 50 years of age:
- Abdominal girth increase
- Feeling of fullness
- Flatulence
- Unclear abdominal pain (abdominal pain) or discomfort.
- Increase in micturition frequency (frequency of urination).
