Ovarian cancer
Alternative Names
Cancer - ovariesSymptoms
- Sense of pelvic heaviness
- Vague lower abdominal discomfort
- Vaginal bleeding
- Weight gain or loss
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Unexplained back pain that worsens over time
- Increased abdominal girth
- Non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms:
- Increased gas
- Indigestion
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to ingest usual volumes of food
- Bloating
Exams and Tests
A physical examination may reveal increased abdominal girth and ascites (fluid within the abdominal cavity). A pelvic examination may reveal an ovarian or abdominal mass.
Tests include:
- CBC
- Blood chemistry
- CA125
- Quantitative serum HCG (blood pregnancy test)
- Alpha fetoprotein
- Urinalysis
- GI series
- Exploratory laparotomy
- Ultrasound
- Abdominal CT scan or MRI of abdomen
References
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2006. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society; 2006.
Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG. Clinical Oncology. 3rd ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2004:2317.
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