The Symptom Complex of Ovarian Cancer

Robert W. Griffith, MD

In December 2000 I wrote an article, which was posted on HealthandAge.com, drawing attention to the serious delay in the diagnosis, and thus treatment, of ovarian cancer. The quoted study in the journal Cancer listed 7 key symptoms, each reported in at least 25% of victims: abdominal bloating, fatigue, abdominal pain, indigestion, frequent urination, pelvic pain, and constipation. My article was titled "Attention Must Be Paid", but obviously it hasn't had widespread effect.

A consensus statement was recently issued by the US Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, and the American Cancer Society, listing 4 cardinal symptoms: bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly or difficulty eating, and frequent or urgent urination. These aren't very different from those reported in the first study, seven years ago.

The statement recommends that women see a gynecologist if they experience any of these symptoms almost every day for longer than 2 or 3 weeks. They go on to say "It is too soon to tell whether the new measures will work or whether they will lead to a flood of diagnostic tests or even unnecessary operations." If by "working" they mean earlier diagnosis of this otherwise lethal condition, I believe gynecologists and health proving organizations will welcome the recommendation, even if it leads to a "flood of diagnostic tests". Cancer of the ovary is too serious for patients to be forced into a wait-and-see situation.

Source
HealthandAge Blog

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