Signs & Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer Recurrence

The possibility of ovarian cancer recurrence is a frightening prospect for any cancer patient. The best way to fight this is by keeping a tab on any unusual signs and symptoms that you may experience. The earlier you detect any signs or symptoms, the better the chances of taking care of it. If you do notice something even if you feel that it may not be related, you should immediately have a check up done.

Pain or Uneasiness

• Ovarian cancer recurrence is generally accompanied by some uneasiness or pain in the lower back or the pelvic region for most women. This pain can range from a throbbing, pulsating sensation to a feeling of great discomfort. There are times when the pain may even become unbearable.

Strain

• Another telltale sign of ovarian cancer recurrence is an unexplained strained feeling in the abdominal area. This pressure may even cause a loss of appetite as well as indigestion and constipation.

Urination

• Changes in urinary habits may also be an indication of ovarian cancer recurrence. Increased pressure on the urinary bladder and passing more urine than normal at shorter intervals may also be some signs to watch out for.

Appetite loss

• Generally this is one of the classic symptoms of ovarian cancer recurrence. Women may not feel like eating or may also experience a sense of fullness after eating very little. This may even lead to general weakness and fatigue. However, sometimes the patient may experience weakness without any reason and may get tired quickly.

Bloating

• Most women are well aware of the bloating sensation they experience before or during their menstruation cycles. The bloating feeling associated with menstruation generally goes away after your period. However, in cases of bloating associated with ovarian cancer recurrence, it does not go away with time or with regular medications.

Fluctuations in weight

• Women with recurrent ovarian cancer may also experience unexplained and drastic fluctuations in weight. This may be an unexplained weight gain or loss. Generally the more common symptom is unexplained weight loss due to the associated loss of appetite.

Unexplained vaginal bleeding

• Unexplained vaginal bleeding is more of a warning rather than a symptom of ovarian cancer recurrence. This bleeding is unexplainable and almost never- ending. This may lead to fatigue and dizziness in the patient. Hence this symptom needs to be taken care of as fast as possible.