Symptoms of ovarian cancer

The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be very vague. They are also symptoms of other less serious conditions.

You should see your doctor if you have symptoms that are unusual for you or won't go away. Your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer, but it is important to get them checked by a doctor.

Common symptoms of ovarian cancer

The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

Pain

You might have pain or discomfort in:

  • your tummy (abdomen)

  • the area between your hip bones (pelvis)

  • your back - although this is less common

Swollen tummy

Feeling bloated or an increase in the size of your tummy that doesn’t go away can be a symptom of ovarian cancer.

Loss of appetite

You might feel full quickly when you eat. Or you may not feel like eating.

Urinary changes

You may need to pee more often, or have to go more urgently.

Other symptoms of ovarian cancer

You may also have some other symptoms. These include:

Tiredness

You might feel extremely tired for no obvious reason if you have ovarian cancer.

Bowel changes

You might have loose poo or need to poo more often (diarrhoea). Or you may go less often or have hard poo (constipation).

Weight loss and feeling sick

You might lose weight even if you aren’t trying to. This might be due to feeling sick.

Indigestion

Indigestion causes heartburn, bloating and sickness. It is a common problem in the general population, and for most people it isn't a sign of cancer.

Vaginal bleeding

You might notice bleeding in between your periods. Or you could have bleeding from your vagina after your menopause Open a glossary item.

Ovarian cysts

Many women have cysts on their ovaries. These are fluid filled sacks. They are not usually cancerous. Sometimes they cause symptoms similar to ovarian cancer.

Most ovarian cysts will go away on their own, but some people need treatment to remove them. You should have tests if the cysts:

  • don't go away on their own
  • are unusually large
  • cause symptoms
  • develop when you are past your menopause
  • Ovarian cancer: recognition and initial management
    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), April 2011 (updated 2023)

  • Management of epithelial ovarian cancer
    Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), 2013 (updated 2018)

  • British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS) ovarian, tubal and primary peritoneal cancer guidelines: Recommendations for practice update 2024
    E Moss and others
    European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 2024. Volume 300. Pages 69-123

  • Cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum: 2021 update
    JS Berek and others
    International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2021. Volume 155. Pages 61-85

  • Newly diagnosed and relapsed epithelial ovarian carcinoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up
    A Gonzalez-Martin and others
    Annals of Oncology, 2023. Volume 34. Pages 833-848

  • The information on this page is based on literature searches and specialist checking. We used many references and there are too many to list here. Please contact patientinformation@cancer.org.uk if you would like to see the full list of references we used for this information.

Last reviewed: 
25 Nov 2024
Next review due: 
25 Nov 2027

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