The important point is not to diagnose yourself based on a single symptom.
Instead, pay attention to patterns and communicate persistent changes to your healthcare provider.
What Causes Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer develops when certain cells in or around the ovaries acquire genetic changes that allow them to grow and multiply uncontrollably.
Over time, these abnormal cells may form a tumor.
Some ovarian cancers remain confined to the ovaries for a period of time, while others spread to nearby structures or distant organs.
The most common group of ovarian cancers is epithelial ovarian cancer, which develops from cells associated with the surface of the ovary or related tissues.
Many cancers historically classified as ovarian cancer are now understood to arise in the fallopian tubes, particularly high-grade serous carcinomas.
Other less common forms include germ cell tumors and sex cord-stromal tumors.
These types differ in their biological behavior, typical age groups, and treatment approaches.
Scientists have identified several factors that may influence the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer.
However, there is no single cause that explains every case.
Some women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have recognized risk factors, while others have no obvious risk factors at all.
Major Risk Factors Women Should Understand
Age
The risk of ovarian cancer generally increases with age.
Many cases occur in women who have gone through menopause, although ovarian cancer can also affect younger women.
Certain uncommon ovarian tumor types are more frequently diagnosed in younger age groups.
Age alone does not determine whether someone will develop the disease.
Nevertheless, persistent symptoms should be evaluated regardless of age.
Family History
Family history can be an important consideration.
Women who have close relatives with ovarian cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or certain other cancers may have an increased risk, particularly when several relatives have been affected or diagnoses occurred at relatively young ages.
Inherited genetic changes can contribute to this increased risk.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 Gene Mutations
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes involved in repairing damaged DNA.
Certain inherited harmful variants in these genes can substantially increase the risk of ovarian and breast cancers.
Women with a strong family history may benefit from genetic counseling and, when appropriate, genetic testing.
Knowing whether an inherited mutation is present can help doctors develop an individualized risk-reduction strategy.
Lynch Syndrome
Lynch syndrome is an inherited condition associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including colorectal and endometrial cancer.
It can also increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
People with a family history suggestive of Lynch syndrome may benefit from genetic evaluation.
Endometriosis
Some research has identified an association between endometriosis and certain ovarian cancer subtypes.
However, the absolute risk remains relatively low for most women with endometriosis.
Having endometriosis does not mean that a woman will develop ovarian cancer.
Reproductive History
Factors related to ovulation and reproductive history may influence ovarian cancer risk.
For example, a greater lifetime number of ovulatory cycles has been associated with increased risk in some studies.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the use of certain hormonal contraceptives have been associated with lower ovarian cancer risk.
However, these relationships are complex.
No woman should start or stop hormonal medication solely to prevent ovarian cancer without discussing the benefits and risks with her doctor.
Can Ovarian Cancer Develop Without Any Symptoms?
Yes.
One of the reasons ovarian cancer can be difficult to detect is that some women experience few noticeable symptoms during the early stages.
Others may have mild symptoms that resemble common digestive or urinary problems.
For example, a woman may experience occasional bloating and assume it is caused by food.
Another may notice that she urinates more frequently and believe it is related to drinking more water.
These explanations may be correct.
However, when symptoms become persistent, frequent, or progressively worse, a medical evaluation becomes important.
There is currently no screening test proven to reliably detect ovarian cancer early enough to reduce deaths among average-risk women who have no symptoms.
This is an important distinction.
A routine pelvic examination, blood test, or ultrasound should not be presented as a guaranteed way to rule out ovarian cancer.
Women with concerning symptoms need diagnostic evaluation rather than relying on an unproven screening approach.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Ovarian Cancer?
When a woman reports symptoms that could be associated with ovarian cancer, doctors usually begin by reviewing her medical history and performing an appropriate physical examination.
The diagnostic process depends on the symptoms, age, medical background, and findings from the examination.
Several investigations may be considered.
1. Pelvic Examination
A pelvic examination allows a healthcare professional to assess the reproductive organs and surrounding structures.
The doctor may look for unusual masses, tenderness, or other abnormalities.
However, a pelvic examination cannot reliably detect every ovarian tumor.
A normal examination does not completely exclude ovarian cancer.
2. Pelvic Ultrasound
Ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate the ovaries and other pelvic organs.
A transvaginal ultrasound involves placing a small ultrasound probe inside the vagina to obtain detailed images of the reproductive organs.
An abdominal ultrasound may also be performed.
The examination can help doctors identify:
-
Ovarian cysts.
-
Solid or complex masses.
-
Changes in ovarian size.
-
Abnormal structures.
-
Fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
Not every ovarian mass is cancerous.
Many ovarian cysts are benign and may disappear without treatment.
Doctors interpret ultrasound findings together with symptoms, age, menopausal status, and other clinical information.
3. CA-125 Blood Test
CA-125 is a protein that may be elevated in the blood of some women with ovarian cancer.
Doctors sometimes use this test when investigating a suspicious ovarian mass or monitoring certain patients after treatment.
However, CA-125 is not a perfect test.
It can be elevated in several noncancerous conditions, including:
-
Endometriosis.
-
Pelvic inflammatory disease.
-
Menstruation.
-
Pregnancy.
-
Uterine fibroids.
-
Certain liver conditions.
Some women with early-stage ovarian cancer also have normal CA-125 levels.
Therefore, CA-125 cannot independently confirm or exclude ovarian cancer.
4. CT or MRI Scans
Imaging tests may help doctors understand the size and location of a suspected tumor.
A CT scan can provide information about the abdomen, pelvis, and other areas where cancer may have spread.
MRI may provide additional information about certain pelvic abnormalities.
These investigations help doctors assess the extent of disease and plan further care.
5. Biopsy and Pathology
A definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer generally requires examination of tissue by a pathologist.
In many cases, tissue is obtained during surgery.
The pathologist studies the cells to determine whether cancer is present and identify the specific tumor type.
This information is essential because different ovarian cancer types may require different treatment approaches.
What Happens If Ovarian Cancer Is Diagnosed?
A diagnosis of ovarian cancer can be frightening.
However, it is important to understand that treatment options have improved considerably.
The appropriate treatment depends on the cancer type, stage, tumor characteristics, overall health, and individual circumstances.
A specialist team may include gynecologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Treatment commonly involves surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of approaches.
Surgery
Surgery is an important component of treatment for many ovarian cancers.
Depending on the situation, the surgeon may remove one or both ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, or affected surrounding tissue.
The objective is to remove as much visible cancer as safely possible.
The exact procedure depends on the disease stage, the patient's age, fertility goals, and other medical considerations.