Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer develops in one or both ovaries and ranks among the most serious gynaecological cancers, partly because symptoms are vague and the disease is often caught late.
Key takeaways
- Persistent bloating, feeling full unusually quickly, pelvic or abdominal pain, and a new change in urinary frequency warrant assessment when they are ongoing.
- Treatment decisions depend on the exact diagnosis, stage, pathology findings, overall health and the goals agreed with an oncology team.
- Management may combine surgery, systemic anticancer treatment and maintenance treatment; the sequence depends on stage, pathology, biomarkers and whether surgery is feasible.
Catalogue matches do not define a cancer regimen; anticancer treatment requires diagnosis, staging and specialist prescribing.
How ovarian cancer is managed
Management may combine surgery, systemic anticancer treatment and targeted or maintenance treatment. The sequence depends on tumour type, stage, whether surgery is feasible, biomarker results and previous treatment. A medicine appearing here, including melphalan, does not indicate that it belongs in an individual’s treatment plan; an oncology team selects the regimen. See oncology support for related catalogue entries.
When to seek urgent care
Contact the treating team promptly for fever during cancer treatment, uncontrolled pain, heavy bleeding, new confusion, severe weakness or breathlessness. Sudden severe symptoms need emergency care.