Signs & Symptoms of Last Stage Ovarian Cancer

Ovaries are reproductive glands found only in women, making ovarian cancer unique to women. The ovaries produce eggs for reproduction and are also the main source of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. A woman normally has two ovaries, one located on each side of the uterus in the pelvis.

What Are the Stages of Ovarian Cancer?

• The process of labeling or staging the progress of ovarian cancer is very important since each stage will require different medical treatment. The accuracy of how well a stage is identified may determine whether or not a patient will be cured. Staging also plays a vital role in identifying clinical trials (research studies) that may be suitable for a particular patient.

  There are four stages of ovarian cancer:
  • Stage I - Cancer contained within the ovary or ovaries.
  • Stage II - Cancer is in one or both ovaries and has involved other organs within the pelvis.
  • Stage III - Cancer has spread to one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following: beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen and/or into lymph nodes.
  • Stage IV - Cancer has spread to the inside of the liver, the lungs, or other organs outside the abdominal cavity.

Signs and Symptoms of Stage IV Ovarian Cancer

• Early signs of ovarian cancer can be vague such as bloating, feeling full, indigestion, gas pains and backache. Ovarian cancer can be difficult to diagnose since signs and symptoms often do not occur until later in the disease process.

  Symptoms of stage IV ovarian cancer include pelvic pain, anemia, abdominal bloating, painful intercourse, urinary frequency, constipation, and abnormal hair growth (as with tumors that secrete hormones).

Treating Stage IV Ovarian Cancer

• Medicine is currently unable to cure stage IV ovarian cancer, but it can be treated. Treatment plans focus on helping patients feel better and extending life. Options available in stage IV include removal of the tumor(s) followed by chemotherapy. Depending on the physician's recommendation, these two treatment methods may be reversed. In this case chemotherapy is given first in order to shrink tumors, after which the tumors are surgically removed.