Cancer Survivors Network

There are some classic symptoms, and then there are the non-classic ones. Are you worried about something? Jo

Ginelle - Symptoms that are most common are not noticeable immediately. Indigestion and acid reflux are something to keep an eye on. Also, a persistent cough should be checked. The most telling symptom usually appears too late in the process. It is called asites. It is fluid build up in the abdominal cavity and this occurs in the late stages of the disease. Gilda Radnor's stomach was so large at the time of her diagnosis she could not fit behind the wheel of a car. It actually took one year for them to confirm her diagnosis. I had a similar experience. They were able to drain 8 liters of fluid from my abdominal cavity. Just think of carrying 4 two liter bottles of coke around for awhile!! If there is anything else I can help you with, please let me knoe.

Ginelle,
I'm glad you are getting checked by your Gyn, and I hope all goes well for you. My symptoms were so mild, I could have easily ignored them, but I just didn't feel right. I had some swelling of the abdomen, noticable only to me, but the big tip off was pain during intercourse which progressed to general pelvic discomfort. My Gyn was very thorough and sent me for a transvaginal sonogram, which showed distortion of both ovaries, but which was diagnosed as endometriosis. It was bad enough that my doctor scheduled me for immediate surgery. That's when he found out that it was cancer. Luckily he had taken the precaution of having a gynecologic oncologist on call during my surgery, so she was able to come in and remove most of the cancer right then and there. I recommend reading Dr. Steven Piver's book "Gilda's Disease." The medical treatment information (especially the info on available chemo treatments) is really outdated, but his discussion of symptoms, risk factors, and genetic links is excellent. You know your body better than anyone else, so make sure you insist on a thorough follow-up of your symptoms. Please let me know how you make out at the doctor, and best of luck to you.
Ellen

Ginelle,
I am an ovarian cancer survivor. My symptoms were as follows: Felt something heavy in my abdomin. After 6 months, I skipped periods, and eventually bloated and experience some pain. My doctors took quick action - surgery immediately! They saved my life.

Let me know how you are doing!

Gayla

for me they started with being tired. then i had discomfort in my lower abdomen that got worse. That's when i saw my dr. 2 weeks later i was in surgery.

One of the most prominent symptoms that I had prior to diagnosis was deep vein thrombosis, which had caused one of my legs to swell for months. I rarely see it mentioned associated with ovarian. Another symptom I've heard of is leg pain, which may be because of abdominal swelling interfering with blood flow.