What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer?

The early symptoms of ovarian cancer mainly include abdominal distension, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full, frequent urination and urgency, and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Ovarian cancer is a common malignant tumor in the female reproductive system. Early symptoms are often atypical and easily overlooked.

1. Abdominal distension

Abdominal bloating is one of the most common early symptoms of ovarian cancer, caused by increased pressure in the abdomen due to tumor growth or accumulation of ascites. Patients may experience tightness in clothing or discomfort in the waistband, and this bloating often persists and gets progressively worse. Abdominal bloating may be related to gastrointestinal disorders, but caution is needed if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss. Regular gynecological examinations and, if necessary, ultrasound or tumor marker screening are recommended.

2. Pelvic pain

Dull pain in the pelvis or abdomen may be caused by the tumor compressing surrounding tissues or nerves. The pain is usually located in the lower abdomen or unilateral iliac fossa. Some patients describe dull pain or swelling, which may worsen after activity. The pain is not related to the menstrual cycle, and conventional pain relievers are of limited effectiveness. If the pain lasts for more than 2 weeks, you should seek medical attention, especially postmenopausal women who have such symptoms.

3. Difficulty eating

The enlargement of the tumor may compress the stomach, causing early satiety or loss of appetite. The patient will feel full after eating a small amount of food. It may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and indigestion, and may be easily misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal disease. If significant weight loss occurs at the same time without deliberate dieting, the possibility of ovarian cancer needs to be considered. It is recommended to record changes in diet and provide detailed information to help diagnose when seeking medical treatment.

4. Frequent urination and urgent urination

Tumor compression of the bladder can cause changes in urinary habits, manifested as increased frequency of urination, increased nocturia, or a sense of urgency. These symptoms are similar to those of urinary tract infection, but pelvic space-occupying lesions should be considered when anti-infective treatment fails. Some patients may have difficulty urinating or a feeling of incomplete urination, and abnormalities can be found through pelvic ultrasound.

5. Vaginal bleeding

Abnormal vaginal bleeding or irregular menstrual periods after menopause may be warning signs of ovarian cancer, especially if accompanied by the other symptoms mentioned above. Tumors may interfere with hormone secretion or directly invade the uterus, causing bleeding. Non-menstrual bleeding or post-coital bleeding require timely medical attention and a clear diagnosis through gynecological examination, ultrasound and pathological biopsy.

You should pay attention to recording abnormal body changes on a daily basis, and conduct gynecological physical examinations and ultrasound examinations every year. Maintaining a healthy weight and eating moderate amounts of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli may help reduce your risk. When the above symptoms persist for more than two weeks, you should go to a gynecology or oncology department in time to make a clear diagnosis through CA125 testing, pelvic ultrasound or CT examinations. After diagnosis, comprehensive treatment options such as surgical resection, chemotherapy or targeted therapy need to be selected according to the stage.