ovarian cancer : Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Although ovarian cancer has been thought to be asymptomatic until the late stages of the disease, recent studies have indicated that women with ovarian cancer reported symptoms before diagnosis, and these symptoms are similar for late and early disease stages. The most common complaints reported before diagnosis have included abdominal, gastrointestinal tract, pain, constitutional, urinary, and pelvic symtoms. Given that five-year survival for ovarian cancer is much higher with early diagnosis, a reliable set of symptoms to look for might facilitate early detection. Goff and colleagues performed a study of primary care patients to determine whether the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms were more pronounced in women with ovarian cancer than in those seen for routine problems.

The authors surveyed women visiting two primary care sites regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of 20 symptoms associated with ovarian cancer. The same survey was given to women presenting at a specialty clinic for removal of an ovarian or pelvic mass.

Of the 1,709 patients who completed the survey, 25 percent were presenting for a general checkup, 13 percent were there for a mammogram, and 62 percent were being seen for specific problems. Of these women, 95 percent had at least one of the 20 listed symptoms in the previous year, with back pain reported most commonly (60 percent), then fatigue (52 percent), indigestion (37 percent), urinary tract symptoms (35 percent), constipation (33 percent), and abdominal pain (28 percent). Many of the symptoms recurred at least monthly in 72 percent of the women. Symptoms were most common in women with diabetes, thyroid disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Postmenopausal women had fewer symptoms overall than premenopausal women. As age increased, all symptoms were less common except for urinary tract symptoms.
by Caroline Wellbery

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