Over 20,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, warn medical experts with the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Ovarian cancer symptoms can be difficult to detect, even during more advanced stages of the disease. Women who develop advanced ovarian cancer symptoms require prompt medical attention and treatment.
Pelvic or Abdominal Discomfort
The two ovaries are located on either side of a woman's lower abdominal region. Cancerous cell growth within one or both of the ovaries can inflame and irritate these reproductive organs. When this occurs, women with advanced ovarian cancer can develop symptoms of abdominal or pelvic pain or discomfort.
Sensations of pain can extend from the abdomen into the lower back in women with this form of cancer. Certain women can develop a sensation of fullness, bloating, swelling or pressure within the lower abdomen, explain medical professionals with MayoClinic.com. These advanced ovarian cancer symptoms can cause certain articles of clothing, such as pants, to fit tighter than usual around woman's abdomen. Sensations of pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort can be mild to severe and can become worse as the ovarian cancer advances.
Digestive Difficulties and Weight Changes
Women with advanced ovarian cancer can feel unusually full after only eating a small amount of food during mealtimes, explain medical experts with the American Cancer Society. Additional digestive difficulties associated with advanced ovarian cancer include nausea, vomiting, constipation, gas and decreased appetite. Certain women can also experience unexplained weight changes due to advanced ovarian cancer, reports MedlinePlus.
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
Ovarian irritation and inflammation due to cancer cell growth in these organs can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding in women with advanced ovarian cancer, explains the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Affected women can notice small amounts of bloody vaginal discharge that appear in between menstrual periods, a symptom known as spotting.
Excessive vaginal bleeding can increase a woman's risk of developing anemia, according to the "Merck Manual." Women with anemia due to advanced ovarian cancer can develop excessive fatigue, headaches or pale skin. Unusual vaginal bleeding is also a symptom of alternate medical problems, such as vaginal infections or sexually transmitted diseases. Women who develop abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting for any reason should seek medical care as soon as possible.
Urinary Urgency
Inflammation within the ovaries can extend to surrounding organs, such as the bladder. When this occurs, a woman with advanced ovarian cancer can experience increased or frequent urinary urgency as a symptom of this disease, reports the American Cancer Society. Urgent or uncomfortable urination can be bothersome and may occur in conjunction with abdominal discomfort or digestive difficulties in women with advanced ovarian cancer.
Pain During Sex
Women can experience pain during sexual intercourse as a symptom of this disease. Pain during sex is not normal and should be discussed with a physician as soon as possible.
