From the Guidelines
Ovarian cancer is a significant cause of death among women, with an estimated 66,693 new cases in Europe in 2020 and 44,053 deaths, and its symptoms often include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary symptoms such as urgency or frequency. The prevalence of ovarian cancer is notable, with more than two-thirds of patients diagnosed at an advanced stage 1. The most common and most lethal type of ovarian cancer is high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), which accounts for nearly 80% of ovarian cancer deaths 1.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague and may include:
- Persistent bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary symptoms such as urgency or frequency
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach
- Back pain
- Pain during sex
- Constipation
- Menstrual changes
- Abdominal swelling with weight loss
Women should be particularly concerned if these symptoms are new, occur more than 12 times a month, and persist for several weeks.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for ovarian cancer include:
- Older age (typically over 50)
- Family history of ovarian or breast cancer
- Genetic mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2
- Never having been pregnant
- Endometriosis
- Hormone replacement therapy
Regular gynecological exams are important, though there is no effective screening test for the general population. Women with concerning symptoms should consult their healthcare provider promptly, as early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes 1.
Importance of Early Detection
Early detection of ovarian cancer is crucial, as the 5-year relative survival for ovarian cancer is 49.1%, but increases to nearly 93% for stage I disease (confined to the ovaries/adnexa) 1. Therefore, it is essential for women to be aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and to seek medical attention if they experience any of these symptoms.
From the Research
Prevalence of Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women 2.
- In 1995,26,600 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the U.S., and 14,500 women died from the disease 3.
- The overall age-adjusted incidence of ovarian cancer was 14.3/100,000 women, and mortality was 7.8/100,000 women between 1986-1990 3.
- Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women in the world 4.
- It is the sixth most common cancer and the fifth most common cause of death due to cancer among women in developed countries 5.
Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
- The clinical presentations of ovarian tumors are variable and not specific 4.
- Most malignant ovarian tumors are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease 4.
- Symptoms of ovarian cancer are non-specific, and there is no effective screening tool 6.
- Constitutional symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, and symptoms of mass effect such as urinary retention are common in malignant ovarian tumors 4.
- Gastrointestinal and constitutional complaints, gynecologic mass, and pain in abdomen are also common symptoms 4.
Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer
- Factors associated with an increased risk for invasive epithelial ovarian cancer include age, race, nulliparity, family history of ovarian cancer, and history of endometrial or breast cancer 3.
- Factors associated with a reduced risk are history of one or more full-term pregnancies, use of oral contraceptives, history of breast feeding, tubal ligation, and hysterectomy 3.
- Other factors such as infertility drugs, hormone replacement therapy, age at menarche, age at menopause, dietary factors, lactose intolerance, talc use, coffee and alcohol consumption have been suggested, but their role is still inconclusive 3.
- The major risk factors for ovarian cancer include older age, genetics, family history, hormone replacement therapy, nulliparity, and dietary fat 5.