Overview
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the lining of the abdomen. Many cancers once called ovarian cancer are now thought to start in the fallopian tubes. Because symptoms can be subtle at first, the disease is often found after it has spread beyond the ovaries.
Key Symptoms
Common symptoms include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating or feeling full quickly, and needing to urinate more often or urgently. Other possible signs include fatigue, back pain, constipation, changes in menstrual bleeding, or pain during sex. These symptoms are common in many non-cancer conditions too, but they should be checked if they are new, frequent, or do not go away.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause is not always known. Risk can be higher with increasing age, a family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer, and inherited gene changes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, or Lynch syndrome. Some reproductive and hormonal factors may also affect risk, and a personal history of breast cancer can matter as well.
Who Is Affected
Ovarian cancer mainly affects people who have ovaries, especially after menopause, but it can occur at younger ages. People with a strong family history of related cancers or known inherited cancer syndromes may be affected at higher rates. It occurs worldwide and can affect people of many backgrounds.
Prevention
There is no guaranteed way to prevent ovarian cancer. Knowing your family history and discussing it with a healthcare professional can help identify whether genetic counseling or testing may be appropriate. Some reproductive factors are linked with lower risk, but decisions about contraception, surgery, or other measures should be made with a qualified clinician based on personal circumstances.
Diagnosis and Tests
Diagnosis often starts with a medical history, symptom review, and pelvic examination. Tests may include imaging such as ultrasound or CT scans, blood tests such as CA-125 in selected situations, and surgery or biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. There is no routine screening test recommended for most people at average risk who do not have symptoms.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the type of cancer, how far it has spread, and the person's overall health and preferences. Common treatment categories include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and in some cases hormone therapy or other specialized treatments. Care is often provided by a team that may include gynecologic cancer specialists.
When to Seek Medical Care
Make a medical appointment if you have bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating, early fullness, or urinary symptoms that are new, frequent, or persistent. Seek advice sooner if you have a strong family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer, or if a relative has a known inherited cancer syndrome. Prompt evaluation does not mean cancer is likely, but it can help find the cause.
Questions to Ask a Healthcare Professional
You may want to ask what could be causing your symptoms, what tests are needed, and whether you should see a gynecologic cancer specialist. Other useful questions include whether genetic counseling or testing is appropriate, what treatment options exist, and what side effects or follow-up care to expect. If cancer is diagnosed, ask how the stage and type affect treatment choices.