symptoms?

Symptoms
There are symptoms but usually each looked at seperately. Here is a short list and a link from MOCA http://www.mnovarian.org/symptoms.htm

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
Feeling a frequent or urgent need to urinate



Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies.

Other symptoms commonly reported may include: fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities.

TAKE ACTION if any symptoms occur almost daily for more than a few weeks. Experts suggest a combination pelvic/rectal exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, and a CA 125 blood test. If ovarian cancer is suspected, consult a gynecologic oncologist.

I had all of the symptoms except the menstrual as I had a hysterectomy back in 1973. I was diagnosed with constipation, acid reflux, told I was almost 50, asked about my job being stressful so I would be feeling fatigue(I loved my job), incontinence as I went from walking 4-5 miles a day to not making a mile anymore... the list goes on.

Anyway if a person has some of these symptoms and they dont' go away then you need to demand a ca125 and/or a pelvic ultra sound. God Bless Bonnie

PS Here is a link to my Story.. it is a bit old and I did have a few typo's but you get the picture of how long it takes sometimes to be diagnosed. There are other women's stories on the page you read too. Some much younger than me.

http://www.mnovarian.org/survivor_stories_bonnie.htm

signs of ovarian cancer
You have been given very good information. I went to my General practitioner with severe pain in my left lower abdomen. She didn't like the sound of it so she sent me for an ultrasound that very day. A large grapefruit sized tumor was seen on my left ovary. I then was scheduled for every test imaginable and within 10 days I was undergoing a total hysterectomy. Through removal of all my womanly organs a few cells escaped when my tumor was removed. The debulking was clear and there was no more cancer found in my body. As a result I was diagnosed with Stage 1C ovarian cancer. I have completed six rounds of Chemo and I had a new CT SCan performed where they saw no evidence of cancer. My CA125 number is low too. In another two months I will have to have more tests done to see if I am still clean. Until then I am so grateful to be in remission. It all started with me with the pressure in my left side. I was very uncomfortable. That was the only symptom I had. Good luck to you. Carol

christianchickcher said:

Diagnosis
Last December I went to the ER with chest pains. I had been having them for a couple weeks and finally went to get checked. An EKG and chest x-ray revealed my heart was fine, however, my diaphragm was elevated. They said this was a sign something else was going on, they told me to see my regular doctor and have an ultrasound. When I went to regular doctor he felt something in my belly and sent me for a CT instead of the ultrasound. The ultrasound revealed a 5 inch by 5 inch mass and so the process began.........

Me Nothing
I may have been bloated some in tummy but I went to find out if I was going thru premenopause because of my mood swings. I didnt notice anything else. When they checked me out they thought I may have cyst that so many have. Went in with scope and found the cancer. So many things can give you warning. My husband is the one noticed tummy was a little bigger, I thought is was my monthly!! Anyway Bonnie and the rest of these great ladies pretty much said it all. Get a checkup by gyno they will do testing and you will know. I had a ultra sound first and he seen the "cyst" so wanted to go in and remove thru the belly and then also looked around and saw "it." I hope and pray all is well
Prayers and Hugs
Sandy

saundra said:

Me, too!
My symptoms have been covered.... Gastrointestional symptoms mainly and a 7 mo. preg. size tummy.
I was seeing an internist every three months and kept being told it was the stress of an invalid mother, etc.
Finally did a sonagram which showed nothing they said. HA. I had tumors over 2.5 cm all over abdomen and liver by then. I demanded to see a gastroenterologist and he sent me for a CT scan that showed the extent of my Stage IV. So don't give up. I understand the CA125 are not expensive (my daughter pays $29 for hers). I would find a doctor that would agree to order one. Local ones in my town say the same thing yours did to younger women. I did have considerable cramping pain by the time I was diagnosed and was losing weight which I was happy about. Saundra

I hadn't had a checkup in many years
I had very minor symptoms for awhile that I attributed to irritable bowell syndrome and latose intolerance. But all of a sudden, 4 days before I drove myself to the ER, I had a bloated stomach and pain in 3 spots when I touched them. Then, 3 days later, I could no longer eat. Digestion caused so much pain I had to stop. I also had spotting and it seemed a urinary tract infection but those things I attributed to other things. So while at the ER, when a medical person said there are alot of things going around (flu and other viruses) I said "No, this is something very serious. Something is really wrong with me." So after an entire day of tests and exams (I got there at 9:30AM) I was checked into a room about 5:30PM and had surgery the next day. Stage 3C.

LPack said:

Pain
I had pain in my right side, thought it was my appendix. Let it go for a couple weeks as it did not erupt! Went in for my regular yearly and told my gyn and he was right on it. Ultra sound and then 3 months later another, cysts had grown 3x's size, had CA125 - 1,779 and then surgery. Felt fine otherwise EXCEPT tired, but who isn't?

Love,
Libby

Your Question
Cookie...Bonnie has given a list of symptoms that matched my Mom's She had severe bloating, fatigue, diahrrea, indigestion, nausea. They ran every kind of GI test on her and decided she had a hiatal hernia and possibly just a nervous stomach. Well, she started having seizures, took meds which slowed her down, got a blood clot, went on blood thinners which caused a bleed. Well the bleed or mass never went away. Then she started bleeding vaginally. They finally did an ultrasound that showed the mass. The bleed was actually from a cyst on her ovary that had ruptured. Then they did a CT scan and the CA125 test. That's when they found the ovarian.

For myself, it was just a routine gyno visit. I had none of the symptoms, and because of Mom, I knew what to watch for. I had no pain. They found a cyst on my left ovary. Four months later I had a hysterectomy. The path results came back as ovarian. Two months later I had staging surgery and my appendix removed. Because they removed all the cancer and it was early enough, I am only monitored by my labwork and CT scans. I was already on anti-estrogen pills from the breast cancer I had the previous year. Cindy