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Receiving a diagnosis of ovarian cancer is difficult and life changing. Fortunately, medical advances have made treatments more effective. Women diagnosed in the earliest stages have a five-year survival rate of nearly 93 percent, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Until recently, ovarian cancer was known as a “silent killer” because it usually wasn’t found until it had spread to other areas of your body. But new evidence shows that most women may have symptoms even in the early stages, and awareness of symptoms may hopefully lead to earlier detection.

Early detection is important; still, only about 20 percent of ovarian cancers are found before tumor growth has spread beyond the ovaries. Your chance of surviving ovarian cancer is better if the cancer is found early.

Ovarian cancer is classified in stages I through IV, with stage I being the earliest and stage IV, the most advanced. Staging is determined at the time of surgical evaluation of the disease:

• Stage I. Ovarian cancer is confined to one or both ovaries.
• Stage II. Ovarian cancer has spread to other locations in the pelvis, such as the uterus or fallopian tubes.
• Stage III. Ovarian cancer has spread to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) or to the lymph nodes within the abdomen. This is the most common stage of disease identified at the time of diagnosis.
• Stage IV. Ovarian cancer has spread to organs beyond the abdomen.

Symptoms

*The key seems to be persistent or worsening signs and symptoms.

• Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
• Urinary urgency
• Pelvic discomfort or pain
• Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
• Unexplained changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
• Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
• Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist
• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
• A persistent lack of energy
• Low back pain
• Changes in menstruation

*Common misdiagnoses include irritable bowel syndrome, stress and depression.

*Treatment of ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.

For more information about Ovarian Cancer, please visit this site:
https://www.google.com/health/ref/Ovarian+cancer