Over 20,000 women in the United States were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2009, according to estimates provided by the National Cancer Institute. This form of cancer, which begins in the ovaries, may not cause symptoms during the initial stage of the disease. Women who develop any of the advanced symptoms of ovarian cancer should seek medical care from a physician or gynecologist as soon as possible.
Abdominal Swelling and Pain
Women with advanced ovarian cancer can experience significant abdominal swelling as a sign of this disease, explain health officials at the Merck Manual, an online medical encyclopedia for health care professionals. The ovaries are located on either side of the lower abdominal region and can become inflamed due to cancerous cell growth. As a result, affected women may notice that the abdominal region appears unusually puffy or enlarged. If this occurs, pants or other clothing items may fit more tightly than usual, reports MayoClinic.com. Women with advanced ovarian cancer may also experience tenderness or pain within the abdominal region that progressively worsens over time. If these advanced symptoms of ovarian cancer occur, affected women should seek medical care immediately.
Stomach Upset
Swelling of the ovaries can irritate surrounding organs, such as the intestines. Consequently, women with advanced ovarian cancer can experience stomach upset as a symptom of disease. These stomach upset symptoms can include constipation, bloating or gas, report health officials at the National Cancer Institute. Certain women may also experience decreased appetite or weight loss as advanced symptoms of ovarian cancer. These stomach upset symptoms may occur intermittently and may become worse as the ovarian cancer progresses.
Urinary Changes
A woman with advanced ovarian cancer can experience urinary changes as a symptom of this disease. Inflammation of the ovaries can irritate and inflame the bladder, which lies in between the ovaries within the lower pelvic region. As a result, women can experience increased urinary urgency or frequency as advanced symptoms of ovarian cancer, report medical professionals with the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Women who develop urinary complications should seek medical care immediately as these symptoms can also be signs of alternate medical problems, such as a urinary tract infection.
Irregular Vaginal Bleeding
Irregular vaginal bleeding can occur as an advanced symptom of ovarian cancer in certain women, explains PDRHealth, a medical information website associated with the "Physicians' Desktop Reference." Affected women may experience unusual vaginal bleeding in between their normal menstrual cycles. These symptoms can also occur in conjunction with back or pelvic pain, or increased fatigue. Women who experience unusual vaginal bleeding should seek medical care immediately.
