Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that starts from the ovary. It is known that every woman has two ovaries, located on the second side of the uterus (womb) that function to produce eggs (ova) and hormone estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Ovarian cancer is one type of cancer that can threaten the lives of women, but often found in advanced stages. This type of cancer is often not detected until it spread into the pelvis and abdomen. In the late stages, ovarian cancer is difficult to treat and often fatal as death. Because it is better if we recognize the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Unlike breast cancer, colon cancer or cervical cancer, to date there is no good screening test for ovarian cancer. Because of it, only a few ovarian cancer patients who survive the first five years.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are not specific, often mimic other diseases. The following symptoms could be suspected as signs of ovarian cancer:

1. Pain in the abdomen or pelvis
2. Bloating, swelling, the pressure on the stomach
3. Difficulty eating or feeling of fullness in the stomach, indigestion and nausea.
4. Sudden feelings (urgency) to pee
5. Changes in bowel habits
6. Enlarged abdominal circumference
7. Often feel weak
8. Experience back pain

If you experience this for several weeks, you should immediately consult a doctor and usually the doctor will do the first examination using ultrasonography.

Types of ovarian cancer include:

1. Cancer that begins in cells outside the ovaries. Called epithelial tumors, the cancer begins in a thin layer of tissue covering the outside of the ovary. The majority of ovarian cancers are this type.

2. Cancer that begins in cells that produce eggs. Called germ cell tumor and tends to occur in young women.

3. Cancer that begins in cells that produce hormones. Called stromal tumor that usually begins in ovarian tissue that produces the hormone estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

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